Shades of Green
When an industry experiences a shift, business opportunities result. In the case of the Green Revolution, an entire industry of products and services is developing. There are also those opportunists who will jump on the bandwagon without true values to offer.
Earlier this week, I visted with a home builder who has a started his own subdivision. I noticed that he had "GREEN HOMES" signs. I asked what features made them qualify as green. His answer was a radiant barrier and double paned windows-certainly very important features of a green home. In no way would this be adequate to identify a home or development of homes as green. I asked if they had been rated for efficiency and was brushed off with a comment about saving the cost of ratings to pass along to his customers..slick!
If a real estate agent or builder presents a house as being green, they should be able to quantify the features that are appropriate. Energy ratings are one way. Certifications by LEEDS are another.
If a vendor is representing a green product, what can he offer in the way of statistics that make the product effective and can references be provided.
Be sure to find out just how green is green.