1.  Green building is expensive.
2. Traditional products work better than green products.
3. It’s all about saving energy.
4. Changing windows will save a lot of energy.
5. Geoexchange heating systems will save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
6. Photovoltaic solar panels are the most effective form of solar energy production.
7. Green homes are “weird” or “ugly.”
8. Building a green home is too complicated.
9. Getting it certified is expensive.
10. Green building is mostly about using eco-friendly materials.
11. Green building is a fad.

So those are his; what are the misconceptions you see out there?  Read his comments here, and leave your own in our comments section.

In an ideal world, a world governed by the USGBC and which can be traversed by solar-powered transportation, a world where formaldehyde is Dr. Jekyll in his off-time and where Greenpeace boats are welcomed with flowers instead of harpoons, your project would always be a new build (because existing structures would stay relevant for generations), and your associates (architect, contractor, builder, plumber, electrician, etc.) would know no other way to operate than under the assumption of environmental practices.

Realistically, you’ll encounter more myth-based resistance to new technology, unusual products and the new set of constraints that building/remodeling environmentally will present. And for the unseasoned, some of these claims and concerns can look pretty real. It’s up to you to get educated and see through the greenwash. Let’s examine some misconceptions.

(more…)