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Greener Design and Remodeling

in
Author
Michael Anschel
Otogawa-Anschel Design + Build
Publication Date: 
November 1, 2010
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If you are reading this article, you may already know the importance of considering our planet's resources when designing our homes. Determining the most sustainable solutions is a real challenge. Should you invest in solar panels? Should you buy the carpet with the Green label? Which design solutions have the highest impact?


In order to help you make these important decisions for your home, designers Greg Kraus, Chie Morioka, and Scott Barsness of Otogawa-Anschel Design-Build provide some helpful tips.

Resources
On the Web!: 
U.S. Green Building Council, usgbc.org
All things green building, greenbuildingadvisor.com
Materials database, pharosproject.org
Read Up!: 
Cats' Paws and Catapults:Mechanical Worlds of Nature and People, by Steven Vogel, Norton, 2000.
A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction, by Christopher Alexander, Oxford University Press, 1977.
Not So Big Remodeling: Tailoring Your Home for the Way You Really Live, by Sarah Susanka, Taunton, 2009.
Act Locally!: 
Otogawa-Anschel Design-Build Minneapolis, MN 612-789-7070 otogawa-anschel.com

Funding A$$istance for Green Building Projects


Established in 1995, the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) is an ongoing project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).
Here are some examples of financing programs, tax incentives, loan programs and rebates:


Financing

  • Local Option: Energy Improvement Financing Programs

Performance-Based Incentive

  • Austin Utilities: Solar Choice Program
  • Minnesota: Renewable Energy Production Incentive

Property Tax Incentive

  • Wind and Solar-Electric (PV) Systems Exemption

Sales Tax Incentive

  • Solar Energy Sales Tax Exemption
  • Wind Energy Sales Tax Exemption

State Grant Program

  • Renewable Energy Equipment Grant
  • Solar Energy Legacy Grants for Local Governments

State Loan Program

  • Agricultural Improvement Loan Program
  • Home Energy Loan Program
  • Methane Digester Loan Program
  • MHFA Rental Rehabilitation Loan Program
  • NEC Minnesota Energy Loan Program
  • Rental Energy Loan Fund
  • Sustainable Agriculture Loan Program

State Rebate Program

  • Residential Small Wind Rebate Program
  • Solar Hot Water Rebate Program
  • Solar Space Heating Rebate Program
  • Solar-Electric (PV) Rebate Program


Visit the following link for up to date information on these financing options and scroll down to Minnesota listings: dsireusa.org/incentives

What is Green Design and Why is it Always Brown?

in
Author
Holly Utech
Shea, Inc.
Contrary to initial impressions, what qualifies as "green" design actually has little to do with how a brochure or package looks. Even if the brochure for a given chemical company is on natural looking, speckled paper with a big leaf on the front doesn't mean that it has a low impact on the environment. Following are some simple guidelines that can help foster an understanding of what is true eco-design.
Footnotes/Endnotes

Web Resources

o2-USA Upper Midwest: o2umw.org/intro

Print Resources

Ecological Design, Van der Ryn, Sim and Stuart Cowan, 1996

The Green Imperative: Natural Design for the Real World, Papanek, Victor, 1995

Organizations

Printing Institute of Minnesota
2829 University Ave. SE
Suite 750
Minneapolis, MN 612-922-3638
www.pimn.org

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