Buz Winchester, chairman of the Maryland Green Building Council, said better accounting is likely to emerge as more federal stimulus money is spent. Money will go toward energy-efficient appliances, weatherization, improvements to federal and military buildings, grants to states and support for renewable energy.
Also, the council, formed by the legislature to recommend ways to green state buildings, is working on recommendations for the state to legislate, fund and communicate programs for everyone else. That could mean more tax breaks for builders, remodelers, nonprofit groups or homeowners who improve their properties.
"There's a lot going on now," he said. "People are realizing that they can save money, and then someone says, you know what, you're green."
Winchester said most projects are so-called "light green," rather than ground-up, and costly, projects certified by the U.S. Green Building Council under its new Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. There are a small number of state buildings with the status. The Remington house would have qualified, Borinsky said, but certification was too costly for the investors.
Homeowners and rehabbers who want to learn about greening can take classes at the Green Building Institute, a nonprofit information clearinghouse in Jessup. David Woolley-Wilson, executive director, said they also teach about federal and state tax breaks. A solar hot water system, for example, can cost $8,000, but state and federal breaks can offset 60 percent. The rest is made up in lower utility bills in three to five years, he said.
Policies and regulations in effect now have been compiled on a Web site, dsireusa.org. Woolley-Wilson suggested getting a home energy audit, for $300-$500, to find out what improvements are needed before launching any major projects. Back in Remington, Gaylord, the contractor, said sealing leaks around windows and doors is the cheapest way to cut utility bills. Next is buying energy-efficient appliances after the old ones give out.
Humphrey said he really likes the bamboo floors and all the appliances. "We have more ideas for the next house."
