Gary Smith

There is no doubt about it. Green is hot! It's everywhere! But, with respect to housing, what's the difference in "Green Verified" and "Green Certified"?

If you talk to 10 different people you'll most likely get 10 different answers to the "What does green mean?" question.

Everything from "Yes, we've gone green at my office, we've started buying recycled copy paper!" to "Green?, sure I bought one of GM's new SUVs, they're environmentally friendly. Don't you see how the commercials place their vehicles in a forest setting?" Actually, (according to www.greenwashing.com) General Motors is a member of the Coalition of Vehicle Choice, an organization that opposes clean air legislation and laws directed at reducing auto emissions.

So, when you purchase a home and the builder makes a green declaration how can you tell if he's done the right thing or just blowing smoke to ride a wave of hype!?!

There are two basic types of Green Certification programs in America today. The builder or owner verified program and the unbiased 3rd party verification.

The NAHB Green Building Standard, LEED-H, Energy Star, Earth Craft and Green Built are some of the more promenant certifying bodies in the US. Certifications for green construction are awarded upon successfully adhereing to the particular specifications of their respective programs. Typically, points are awarded for specific energy or resource efficient principles that are followed. Other areas of note are water efficiency, indoor air quality and home owner education.

The verification process is typically an indepth technical visual inspection process that confirms program adherence and includes performance testing. This test is provided by highly trained "energy raters" who deterime, amoung other readings, how air tight the building is and how well the heating and air conditioning system operates.

For more info about green building contact me toll free 1-877-809-6139 or online at http://www.greenbuildinginspector.com.

Find Green Verified Homes in America and Canada at http://www.greenverifiedhomes.com

Home Inspections in Central Mississippi at http://www.garynsmith.net

My "other" site for blogging. Yes, I've tried the outside world of blogging by self-publishing a blog outside of active rain called: The Green Building Inspector. Give a try?

Want to save a couple of bucks and continue saving into the future? Take advantage of one of the many energy savings tax credits available this year from Uncle Sam.

Home improvement insulation tax credits are available...let's look at how you qualify.

The insulation's primary purpose must be to insulate. That means siding does not qualify, but a vapor retarder does.

A vapor retarder is a specially treated paper, thin plastic sheeting, or low permeance paint that prevents condensation of water vapor inside wall or ceiling materials. This trapped moisture can cause damage to the wallboard and paint as well as structural deterioration.

The product you use must be expected to last for at least 5 years or have a 2 year warranty. The cost of installation (your labor) cannot be included in the total. A manufacturer's Certification Statement is required. Remember, for tax purposes its a good idea that you save your receipt and the Manufacturer's Cert.

A Manufacturer’s Certification is a signed statement from the manufacturer certifying that the product or component qualifies for the tax credit. The IRS encourages manufacturers to provide these Certifications on their website to facilitate identification of qualified products. Taxpayers must keep a copy of the certification statement for their records, but do not have to submit a copy with their tax return.

You must insulate between Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2009 and use IRS Tax Form 5695 (version 2009) when filing for the credit.

How much of a tax credit do you receive? You'll get 10% of the cost of the insulation, up to $500.00.

For more information about saving energy and saving your hard earned dollars contact Gary N Smith toll free at 1-877-809-6139 or find him online: www.GaryNSmith.net

As co-chairman and on behalf of the entire Building Green Works Committee at the Home Builders Association of Jackson I’d like to thank Mississippi Home Corp for their efforts in promoting affordable resource efficient housing in Mississippi. Our HBAJ Green Committee includes builders, associate members, utility companies and government agencies. We’re proud to have them serve on our committee.

As a certified NAHB Verifier I believe this contest will not only promote energy efficient construction, but will offer Mississippi residences affordable homes that help them save water, live more comfortably in cleaner air, save money through lower maintenance cost and will encourage the public to save our planet’s natural resources.

In support of the contest, I would also like to announce that the Jackson Association will host the NAHB Certified Green Professional course (see below) February 17-19 at our office in Ridgeland, MS. The CGP designation recognizes builders, remodelers and other industry professionals who incorporate green building principles into homes— without driving up the cost of construction. The three day class provides a solid background in green building methods, as well as the tools to reach consumers. The class will explain how to accrue points in seven categories: water, energy and resource efficiency; lot and site development; indoor environmental quality; global impact and homeowner education. The program sets point requirements in each category for the bronze, silver and gold levels. McGraw Hill reports that by 2012 - 20% of new homes built in the US are expected to be HERS rated, performance tested and built green.

The future? There is no doubt, through energy consumption and the living environment, the homes we build today will impact on our children and our grand children. That’s why it’s so important that we focus our efforts on the “science” of building construction.

Building Green is smart.

Building green is affordable.

First, through this contest and then into the future we will all be…Growing a Greener Mississippi. So…from the HBAJ Building Green Works Committee, Thank You!

Mississippi Home Corporation was created by the State in 1989 to serve as the State’s Housing Finance Agency. In that capacity, MHC administers the Mortgage Revenue Bond program and the Housing Tax Credit program, among others. MHC’s mission is to enhance Mississippi's long-term economic viability by financing safe, decent, affordable housing and helping working families build wealth.

For more information about the NAHB Green Building Program visit NAHB online at www.NAHBGreen.org.

For more information about the contest contact Gary Smith toll free at 1-877... or online at: www.GaryNSmith.net.

At 11:00 a.m. on January 29th, 2009 at the Beau Rivage Conference Center in Biloxi, Mississippi, Mississippi Home Corporation will announce the "Growing a Greener Mississippi" green building competition designed to spur affordable green building throughout the Magnolia State.

The first of it's kind in the nation, the contest is based on the National Association of Home Builders Green Building Guidelines. The NAHB Green Program is a third party verified system designed to help builders construct healthier and more cost efficient housing nation wide. The program is a points based system offering homes in three categories, Bronze, Silver and Gold.

As the first certified verifier for Mississippi I will be attending the conference and will be present afterwards to answer questions pertaining to competition details and to help describe the program in more detail.

Prize money will be awarded to first, second and third place winners. First place entry will be awarded $50.000 based on design, energy efficiency and a host of other categories designed to show that going green does not mean expensive construction.

Mississippi Home Corporation was created by the State in 1989 to serve as the State's Housing Finance Agency. In that capacity, MHC administers the Mortgage Revenue Bond program and the Housing Tax Credit program, among others. MHC's mission is to enhance Mississippi's long-term economic viability by financing safe, decent, affordable housing and helping working families build wealth.

For more information about the NAHB Green Building Program visit NAHB online at www.NAHBGreen.org.

For more information about the contest contact Gary Smith toll free at 1-877-809-6139 or online at: www.GaryNSmith.net.