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Paige Toddy
Mrs.Corbett
AP Literature
17 November 2011
Going Green
Great controversy has been presented about whether or not “going green” is really worth
the time and effort that is put into each project.The verybeginnings of energy efficiency started
with efficient chimney ventilation in the late 1970s, and by the early 1980s people were on their
way to building absolute eco-friendly houses.“Over time it has developed into a multi-million
dollar green industry” (Roberts1).Despite the fact that these projects are costly, many houses
today are being refurbished to fit eco-friendly qualifications that benefit both the homeowner and
the environment.Going green is becoming such a huge part of today‟s society that it proposes the
question of whether or not going green will compensate the initial price over time.
A decade ago most people connected environmentally-friendly homes with unattractive
solar panels on top of houses.Many people think that going green means they need to change
everything about the way they live.That statement could not be more untrue. Bydefinition an
eco-friendly house is, “not environmentally harmful”, and is one that uses less energy, fewer
natural resources and a smaller quantity of toxic chemicals (Eco-Friendly House).Once people
figure out the truth to the misconception of green houses and the profit that comes out of them it
will become a more popular trend.The awareness of the actual green process can help make the

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choice easier (Earth911).Knowledge is the key factor in going green.If homeowners are still in
the dark about the benefits of being green,then they will be less likely to make the upgrades.
Somehomeowners who would usually not look into eco-friendly practices are being
forced to participate in them.In some states there are laws thatregulate how houses should be
furbished (Law in San Francisco).Due to location, families do not have a choice to decide
against costly eco-friendly practice.While enforcing these laws may be a hassle and money
struggle for some, it willinevitably create certain advantages for those living in these
homes.“There some significant tax credits available on the state and federal level that may help
pay for improvements in states that require” (Going Green May Reduce Your Taxes).Even with
tax credits homeowners still suffer to produce the additional money to subside in eco-friendly
houses.The planet has been getting treated so poorly that it has come to the conclusion that some
states can not afford to keep homeowners from paying the extra costs.
Along with the consideration of the environmentmany sacrifice the extra money to
construct eco-friendly houses for the reason that these products are healthier for their families”,
as stated by the NRDC (Affordable Green Housing).It is said that the air inside a house is five
times more polluted than the air outside, which can cause asthma and future lung
complications.When a family member‟s health is put at risk people will pay anything to keep
their loved onesaway from harm.“In the U.S. more than forty thousand children have very high
levels of lead in their blood because of toxic paint inside their own homes” (Going Green
withPaint).Upon hearing this, houses were repainted immediately, costinghomeowners fortunes

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that they may not have.While these paints have been prohibited, more eco friendly products have
been introduced that homeowners are now being persuaded into purchasing.In Money Magazine
it is said that, “houses that meet the definition of “green” use less natural resources and fewer
toxic chemicals” (Money Magazine1).Someof these products areinsulation and proper window
installment.Statistics have shown that when the appropriate windows and insulation for houses
have been added, there is less cost in the long run, and more value added to the house.
Though many people agree that going green is a good cause, there are many
misconceptions.Most people are not yet sold on the technologies involved with saving the
environment; therefore, they are not sure to what extent they are willing to go green.“No where
else is this better illustrated than in the use of incandescent light
bulbs”(MetropolisMagazine1).Incandescent light bulbs have been around for a long time and are
the most broadly used bulb in the world, despite the fact that they are the most inefficient.Simply
changing these bulbs to compact florescent ones means money will be saved and more efficient
bulbs are being used to help the environment.Taking a different, more devastating spin on
misconceptions, is the use of bamboo flooring, which is thought to be a good alternative for
hardwood.The flooring is made of bamboo that grows at extreme rates and does not require
chemicals to be used in the process(Money Magazine 1).The bamboo is harvested in Chinaand
then is shipped thousands of miles just to get to America.The problem is that the transportation
contributes large amounts of pollution in the air, which in fact makes bamboo less eco-friendly
and more of an issue.

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Another downfall of eco-friendliness is the cost.“Homeowners are considering it more of an
expense than an investment”(Roberts1).This fact turns huge amounts of possible green investors
away from the consideration of being eco-friendly.Many do not understand the true value of how
it can eventually save the environment; they are only concerned with the amount that is being
taken out of their pockets.Eco-friendly products are usually of higher cost than regular models
due to the cost of research and production (Birns1).Higher costs are also a result of the small
amount of the products that are available. This means that manufacturers are not able to make
prices any lower because they are not of high demand.Though many can not come up with the
money, most do not know that these products can potentially help in the long run.
If a homeowner wants to sell a house with eco-friendly and energy efficient products then
it can amplify the overall value of their home.“[An] eco-friendly house will likely sell at the
upper economic range and quicker"(Affordable Green Housing). It will have more to offer than
an alike traditional construction.Homeowners who have invested in going green have had great
success in selling their home faster than a traditional construction.Not only does going green
help the environment, it also enormously contributes to cutting costs.A one star increase for
energy efficiency can raise the value of the home up by three percent of its market value(Energy
Efficient Interior Design). The market value of a home will sky rocket due to the energy efficient
accessories that are already build into it. Studies have shown that going green contributes to an
improved standard of living.

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Along with having very many economic advantages, being eco friendly presents using
fewer natural resources. This means that future generations will be able to enjoy them as much as
earlier generations have.Reducing the demand for natural resources will lower prices in many
other business fields around America.Additional ways that one can help out the environment is
by not only cutting back on resources, but by reducing unnecessary energy usage in areas such as
lighting and water use in houses.“Owners who use less water and light energy will cut their
water usage bill by 50% which will save money over time” (Is Going Green Worth the
Cost).When it comes to saving money homeowners do not mess around.By doing simple tasks
around the house eco friendly practice can help with reducing costs.One law limited usage of
resources and easily helped in keeping the environment clean.The city of San Francisco declared
severe requirements on usage of various products that will save countless resources (Law in San
Francisco).The requirements presented will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by sixty thousand
tons yearly. With more participation around the world the present generation will not deplete
non-renewable resources.
The process of going green is becoming popular because it is in fact worth the time and
money that gets put into it.Though there are some downfalls to going green, it is overall the right
path for people to follow for a better-off and overall healthier lifestyle.Knowing that families
have changed their ways of livingand continue to profit from green upgrading, it will be an easy
decision for homeowners to switch their old habits to more modern ones.These greener habits
will lower the lifetime expenses and worries that come with the stress of being a homeowner.Not
only will they be raising the value of their home andletting their family live in healthy

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surroundings, it will in addition be providing later generations the privilege of a cleaner
environment.

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Works Cited
“Affordable Green Housing.”Natural Resources Defense Council.
26 Jan. 2006. Web. 7 Nov. 2011. <http://www.nrdc.org/cities/building/fhousing.asp>
Earth 911.N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Nov. 2011. <http://earth911.org/////green-made-easy/>.
"Eco-Friendly House."Merriam-Webster Dictionary Merriam-Webster, 2011. Print.
Web. 5 Nov 2011.
Editorial.Energy Efficient Interior Design- Laura Birns.N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2011.
<http://www.lbdesign.net/_atHomeMag_goingGreen.html>.
Editorial.Is Going Green Worth the Cost.N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2011.
<http://www.cleanmpg.com//.php?t=3199>.
“Going Green May Reduce Your Taxes.” IRS. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, 25
April. 2011. Web. 12 Nov. 2011.
<http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=220989,00.html>
“Going Green:Tips For Interior Designers.” Metropolis Magazine 1 Mar. 2004: 1-2. Print.
Online posting.Going Green with Paint.N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2011.
<http://www.oninteriordesign.com/_interior_design///_green_wit.html>.
Roberts, Lindsey M. “The Cost Of Going Green.”Preservation Mar. 2010: 1-2. Print.

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“Strict Green Building Codes Become Law in San Francisco.” Editorial. Cleanlink.com. N.p., 7
Aug. 2008. Website.<http://www.cleanlink.net/news/article/Strict-Green-Building-Codes-
Laws-in-San Francisco-9426?=green,%20building>
“Your Home: Is „going green‟ worth the cost?” Money Magazine: n. pag. Rpt. in CNN
Money.N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. pag. Money Mag: CNN Money. 17 Oct. 2011.