Green / Sustainable Building Design in Washington (Seattle, Olympia: condo, houses, per square foot)

[nickjs]

Are there companies in Washington that design environmentally friendly houses and buildings, for people living off-grid, or wanting low energy bills and heating bills? Using renewable energy and sustainabe design principles?

I'm from the UK and this area is becoming important over there. Is there demand for this sort of thing in Washington? And what companies are out there and in which cities?

Thanks for your help

Nick

[bmsea]

Originally Posted by nickjs

Is there demand for this sort of thing in Washington? And what companies are out there and in which cities?

Thanks for your help

Nick

Sustainable building is huge in the Seattle market, and I think it will only continue to grow. Commercial buildings go by the LEED standards/LEED certification, but for residences, the main program out here is Built Green. See the Master Builders website for more info: Built Green - Home Page

Most big housing developments and condo projects are trying to market their "green"-ness and I think people in the northwest are particularly sensitive to environmental considerations.

I've never heard of "living off the grid", but I know that out here in rural Grays Harbor County, there are people who have the ability to do so (they are on septic, wells, have a generator) at least until the fuel for the generator runs out.

[Sandy Nelson]

I can recommend "Apple Builders" they are located in Olympia. One of the owners, Fiona Hamilton is from the UK and also teaches "Built Green" concepts. They are a member of the Olympia Master Builders Association, so if you called them, they could give you their contact info.

Sandy

[PNW-type-gal]

There are a lot of off-the-grid options, although Western Washington/Oregon is a pretty iffy bet for PV (solar electric). Most people with PV on this side of the Cascades are still grid-tied for winter use and then sell back excess in the summer. There's a popular magazine called "Home Power" that deals with off-grid and "green building" issues, such as ICF (insulated concrete forms), SIPS and other techniques.

Unfortunately, most "green" builders are also very expensive per square foot - we ended up with a conventional builder and just went with "green-er" options because cost was a huge issue.

Usually in September there are "green and solar" house tours in the northwest -check ASES National Solar Tour (broken link) for dates and locations.

[StealthRabbit]

Agreed... the "green" concept sells for High $$, as it is very popular and politically correct in PNW. You can do the same very economically yourself, or by coaching a compliant builder.

off-grid is very popular.
Huge solar / bio tax incentives in WA state thanks largely to this guy
Solar power advocate Mike Nelson exhibits tireless energy - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle):

this convention was last week, (Central OR)
Oregon Solwest Renewable Energy Resources and Fairs home

There are lot of groups / builders
Solar Washington
Northwest Environmental Training Center - NWETC - Home
Welcome to the Sustainable Living Center (broken link)
NWSC

Join yahoo groups, wastewatts or alternative building

I like the concept of a friend who has a passive solar + a 'free grease' genset. He uses Genset radiator water to heat his floors, and sells 40KW of power back to the utility every night. He gets a generous check, instead of a bill from the utility district every month.