As a green certified agent, I feel it's very important to give back to our nation as a whole that is thirsting for alternatives to the traditional building and life practices of the past several decades. It is my goal to educate my clients with the changes that we can impliment in our building and life practices so we can preserve the future generations ability to live healthy and leave a minimal footprint on this earth!  

In February 2007 the Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS), the region's most authoritative source of information on home sales, added the leading green building programs into its searchable listings database. 

This effort, spurred in part by Earth Advantage, Inc. a Portland-based non-profit specializing in the delivery and certification of green building programs. The RMLS green home listing is a critical part in the market transformation toward green building that is in progress nation-wide. It enhances the value proposition of green homes for homebuyers. The green building movement is a both a driver of, and responsive to, the newly invigorated efforts within the US to address global climate change. 

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What Makes a Home Earth Advantage®? 

Every Earth Advantage home is designed to provide its residents with comfort and quality while maintaining our standards for energy efficiency, indoor air quality, environmental responsibility and resource efficiency. 

Energy efficiency
At minimum, an Earth Advantage home is designed to improve energy efficiency by 15 percent over a conventionally built home. The incorporation of products such as energy-efficient windows, appliances, mechanical systems and light fixtures can add up to lower energy usage and greater comfort year round.* 

*Individual circumstance and savings will vary. Ask an Earth Advantage representative for details. 

Indoor air quality
The air inside your home makes a difference in how you feel every day, and indoor air quality is a high priority in the construction of an Earth Advantage home. With options like air filtration systems, controlled ventilation and low-toxic building materials, an Earth Advantage home may allow you to breathe a little easier. 

Environmental responsibility
The same building materials in an Earth Advantage home that improve indoor air quality also contribute to a cleaner environment, as less toxic products reduce atmospheric pollutants. Earth Advantage homes may also employ site measures that minimize environmental impact such as recycling job site waste, preserving topsoil and trees, and adding native plants to the landscape. 

Resource efficiency
Highly efficient appliances save energy and conserve our region's resources. Many items can be made with a high-recycled content, such as carpet crafted from plastic pop bottles, ceramic tile, paint and insulation. Flooring made from bamboo can make a big difference by minimizing the use of timber. Construction techniques such as steel framing, use of concrete foam blocks and brick will save wood in the home's structure. 

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Do Earth Advantage homes last as long as regular homes?  

Yes. In fact, they may last longer because they're built to such exacting standards. All Earth Advantage homes are designed for maximum durability and are constructed with high-quality materials that are meant to last. 

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New Construction Certification Process 

The Earth Advantage® certification process involves six steps: 

Plan Review
The builder meets with our specialist to review the building plans. 

Determining Materials and Methods
Our specialist recommends the most cost-effective way to meet Earth Advantage requirements. 

Consultation
During construction, our specialist provides technical and educational support to the builder and subcontractors. 

Walk-Through
Periodic on-site inspections during construction ensure the proper installation of materials and appliances. 

Performance Testing
Early on, a forced-air system test rates the air loss levels in the ducting. At the end of construction, a blower door test determines the air changes per hour in the home. 

Certification
At the end of the process, if the standards are met the builder and the owner receive certificates that signify the home meets Earth Advantage standards. 

Earth Advantage is on a point system, so each builder may choose different items that all add up to the same required points off of a list. Make sure to ask the builder for a list of the items in the home that they used to recieve their certification.
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Compare an Earth Advantage® Home 

On the surface, an Earth Advantage home may appear quite similar to other new homes. But within the shell there’s a significant difference. Compare a new Earth Advantage home to most other new homes. You’ll find features that positively affect energy efficiency, indoor air quality, environmental impact and, just as important, your overall comfort. 

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Frequently Asked Questions 

How is an Earth Advantage® home different from a regular home?  

An Earth Advantage home is designed to use less energy and fewer resources, improve indoor air quality and protect the environment. Nearly every aspect of the home, from the building materials to the landscaping, is designed with comfort, value and efficiency in mind. 

Doesn't an Earth Advantage home cost more?  

Not necessarily. Although the asking price for an Earth Advantage home may be a bit more than a regular home, the long-term financial advantages can be worth it. You'll use less energy all year long.* You may also qualify for a "green mortgage." More  

*Individual circumstance and savings will vary. Ask an Earth Advantage representative for details. 

My home is older. Can it still be Earth Advantage?  

Yes. No matter how old your home is, you can still may be able to make changes that will reduce your energy and resource consumption, improve your indoor air quality and protect the environment around you. More  

Is it hard to find an Earth Advantage builder or remodeler?  

No. There are many Earth Advantage builders and remodelers available to help you.
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Earth Advantage® Facts 

Test your knowledge about a typical home's construction, indoor air quality, energy efficiency, the environment and more with this quick rundown of Earth Advantage facts.  

Fact: Indoor air levels of many pollutants may be two to five times, and occasionally more than 100 times higher than outdoor levels.1 

Why: The air quality in some new homes could make you want to hold your breath. Paint fumes may linger long after the walls have dried, certain carpets and pads emit toxins. Formaldehyde may lurk in cabinets and flooring underlayment. And without proper ventilation, the same advances that seal the weather out can seal all of this in. An Earth Advantage home can improve indoor air quality through the use of natural and low toxic materials and improved ventilation systems. 

Fact: A typical 1,700 square-foot wood-frame house requires the equivalent of one acre of forest timber.2 

Why: Behind the scenes, do you know what materials are used to build your house? If you own an Earth Advantage home, you do. Earth Advantage homes are built with materials that help preserve our precious resources, including old growth forests. But it's not about sacrifice - many of these products are cutting edge and can actually improve structural quality, including composite floor joists and engineered lumber. 

Fact: The average American house consumes nearly $1,500 per year in utility costs. But usage can be reduced by implementing energy efficient products and construction practices.3 

Why: By building energy efficiency into your home, you will be just one step ahead in reducing utility usage. With innovative heating, insulation and landscaping solutions, Earth Advantage homes help increase energy efficiency by at least 15 percent over conventional home construction.* And that can save you a lot of energy over time. 

*Individual circumstance and savings will vary. Ask an Earth Advantage representative for details. 

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Go Green! Portland consistantly ranks at the top in the U.S in the number of projects registered with the U.S. Green Building Council. 

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I work with several builders and remodelers throughout Portland that build Green Certified Homes and don't pass the cost onto the buyer!
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