Conscious Choice: Reducing Energy Costs

September 2006 | Ask the Green Commish

Reducing Energy Costs

By Sadhu A. Johnston

Dear Green Commish, In recent years I have heard the phrase “green buildings.” What does it mean and how can I make my own home “green”? — Looking to Go Green

Dear Looking: Green buildings are an important environmental strategy that’s a key part of our effort here in Chicago. One of the more publicized examples of a green building is the Department of Environment’s Chicago Center for Green Technology, the first building to achieve the highest level of efficiency—platinum—by the U. S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

To put it simply, green buildings describe the type of materials and systems designed for a building to minimize the impact on our environment. For example, one type of green technology—solar thermal collectors—heat the domestic hot water for a building. The collectors use the sun’s energy to heat the hot water instead of natural gas, which not only costs more to purchase, but also uses scarce natural resources in the process. And that’s really the key—green buildings not only save natural resources, but also save homeowners and operators money over the life of their investment. I believe we are at the point where we can’t afford to build and renovate our buildings any other way.

For the typical Chicagoan, installing solar panels may not be affordable. But there are many other strategies that Chicagoans can take to make their home more green. Consider the one building that gives Chicago so much of its character—the bungalow.

With 80,000 bungalows across the city, it’s easy to understand how the Historic Chicago Bungalow Expo has become Chicago’s most popular home show. This free show draws thousands of bungalow owners and admirers each year to learn about buying, restoring and renovating Historic Chicago Bungalows. And the show itself will undergo a renovation this year.

In 2004, Mayor Daley announced what was then a new set of environmentally sensitive construction standards for all new public buildings known as the Chicago Standard. The commitment to green buildings remains strong; and the City continues to work with private developers and residents to encourage more green building. When you combine a bountiful housing stock such as the bungalow with the increasing interest of residents who would like to lessen their impact on the environment and/or save money, it makes sense that the show will now be called the Historic Chicago Bungalow & Green Home Expo. It is sponsored by the Historic Chicago Bungalow Association in partnership with the City of Chicago’s Department of Housing and Department of Environment.

I encourage every Chicagoan to visit the Green Building Resource Center at the Chicago Center for Green Technology, 445 N. Sacramento Ave., which is open to the public and offers seminars and tours. And don’t forget to attend this year’s Expo, which is adding vendors and workshops on rehabbing homes using environmentally sound techniques. I look forward to meeting some of you on September 30 at the Merchandise Mart. The Expo is free to the public, but the information you find may just save your family money and make you one of Chicago’s environmental stewards. You can learn how to renovate your bungalow or home and make your home more beautiful, energy efficient and healthier. Then your neighbors might just turn green…with envy, of course!

Sadhu A. Johnston, is commissioner of Chicago’s Department of Environment, which administers programs to protect and restore Chicago’s natural resources; reduce waste; clean up brownfields; promote energy efficiency and reliability; educate the public about environmental issues; and enforce the city’s environmental protection laws.

Got a question for the Environmental Commissioner? Email the editor. Please make sure to put in the subject line: Ask the Green Commish. Or send it through the regular post to Ask the Green Commish, Conscious Choice, 920 N. Franklin, Suite 202, Chicago, IL, 60610. Letters may be edited for clarity and brevity.

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