I'm still here!

Sorry for the lack of writing.  I've had some internet...deficiencies.  And, I've been away in Kandahar for a bit.  Now I know Texas is hot right now, but Kandahar is HOT.  106 degrees, but a dry heat!  But, dry heat really doesn't matter with 20-30 pounds of body armor and a helmet.  Still, I know there are so many Soldiers who day in, day out are carrying on in these conditions - absolutely amazing that young Americans choose to serve like they do. 

If you read the last blog, I think you'll see I'm nudging toward the Austin Energy Green Building Rating system...LEED just seems more complicated than it needs to be.

Oh by the way, I used to fly these...but this year's job allows me to be just a passenger...sigh.

Austin Energy Green Building rating or LEED???

Sorry for the delay since my last blog, but the internet here has been not so good. Whenever I catch myself about to complain about the internet and that I can’t make a Skype call, I remember that I’m in Kabul Afghanistan. Twenty years ago as a lieutenant in Desert Storm…no calls for five months. As a major in 2003 in Tikrit, Iraq…no call for first three months. Slow bandwidth or day to day interruptions just really aren’t than bad!

OK – what are we talking about today?? This has been on my mind for last several weeks and that is what are the differences and similarities between the Austin Energy Green Building checklist and the LEED checklist. I’ve gone through both quickly and here are my initial findings:

1. The AEGB checklist is simpler and more user friendly. I find the LEED for Homes categories and flowcharts just way more complicated – less user-friendly.
   
   
2. The AEGB checklist seems better tailored for living in Central Texas.  Shouldn't be any surprise here…this makes me think that shouldn’t it be intuitively obvious that green building MUST be tailored to the environment the house is going up in. Heck, it’s sunny and hot here in Texas – make sure the house accounts for that. The LEED checklist does appear to allow for local necessities.

Without sounding rash, my quick assessment is that the Austin system is more for building the house right to live in it while I get this impression that the LEED system has this…how do I say it, “I want to show my green bling” edge to it. I mean, why should I worry about a point for public awareness for advertising or having an article by my builder for a LEED awareness website?

What don’t I know yet?

• How far from Austin can a house be certified for the “1 to 5 star” rating? I’m 60 miles away, but is this Austin standard becoming the defacto Central Texas standard?
• Will the Austin Energy standard provide as much of a future marketing benefit as saying my house is “LEED certified?”
• Will getting a house LEED certified provide full life-cycle benefits when I sell? In other words, will it be cheaper to operate, quicker to sell at a higher price than an Austin Energy certified building?

I think everyone knows this, but no matter which checklist and guide – I expect this house to be more valuable in the future than other “standard build” homes. Because electricity isn’t getting any cheaper! See this article.

I’d love to hear your comments and suggestions on this topic because I sense that if LEED is the way to go, I've got much more prep to do.

The other reason I'm building Green - Sun, Veterans, and Entrepreneurship

I might be going off topic with this blog but hang with me - everything is related - I promise!

For those that know me and have seen my LinkedIn profile, you know I want to be involved in renewable energy for my next career after the Army...although I hate to say it, at a certain point, all Soldiers eventually retire when it's time to leave the helicopter flying, parachuting, commuting into the Pentagon (ok, that's not super fun) to somebody else.  I'm not the first Colonel to see that the end of the fun is closer than the beginning and it's only smart that I start planning now.

So what does one do...some become defense contractors in all sorts of support functions or go into government service.  These are important.  Others like me, are very interested in doing something totally new.  But for me, it's important to do something that I think is valuable to the nation, something that makes the United States better, stronger, more vibrant.  Something I can be completely, totally, 110% passionate about.

I want to be part of renewable energy!  I think it's absolutely essential for this nation's future strength.  So this brings me to two articles I've come across in my readings.

This from the WSJ: 

• MAY 11, 2011, 5:15 PM ET

Why Vets Are Likely Entrepreneurs

 
I'll summarize - Vets both young and old (correction...older) are in great positions to be entrepreneurs.  Good skills and as importantly, financially able with a military retirement to take a leap whereas fear of financial  failure may hold others back.  There, I've said it - I'd like to be some sort of renewable entrepreneur...but what is that first step and in what direction?  I think building this house is going to open my mind up to the  opportunities in Central Texas - who does solar, small wind, geothermal, radiant heating???  The list goes on and on.

So here is the second article and I have to say this was quite the shocker...

California, Oregon, Massachusetts, New York, and Colorado Top the Nation in Clean Energy Leadership

By REW.com Editors
May 20, 2011   |   1 Comment

Clean Edge's U.S. clean energy leadership index provides companies, Investors, and governments with critical data and insights on the clean energy landscape.

Where is Texas???  Well, we're actually #18.  I thought we'd be much better because for those of you who live here, you know it's sunny and windy.  And this state is so business friendly!!  We've got the innovative (crazy) Austinites!  Why aren't we in the top 5?

So, this is one reason I've chosen to live in Texas - there is just so much potential to match the renewable possibilities with the plethora of smart, eager, educated, hungry military veterans who still want to do something important for their country.

The other reason...well, if you've ever spent a spring or fall here you'd understand!

Tell me again why we want to build a "Green" home...

I have come to the simple conclusion that half of being a green designer/builder is being able to interpret the "Green" certification checklists...ok, I know there is much more to it than this but have you ever downloaded and read one of these guides??  SEER, roof slope rating, permeability of driveways, VOC, etc, etc.  distance from faucet to heater - yikes!

Lots to think about for sure but then I got back to thinking: why is it that I want to build "Green?"  We all have different reasons -

1. For some it's the satisfaction of doing our part for the earth and our local community.  
2. For others, it's about energy efficiency and long term cost of ownership. 
3. And still for others, it's a bit about #2, and hey, the "green" designs are often great to live in.

To be honest, I'm really reason #2 and #3.  Ok, ok, I can see that by going through this process, one can't help but be more informed of how these techniques help the environment (nobody wants oily water running down to the lake they swim in and why wouldn't I want to minimize scrap?)

But I'm looking for energy efficiency!  I don't think electricity is getting any cheaper, and as a guy who has spent 23 years in the Army, I understand the cost of defending our national interest in assuring our access to energy resources.

Now if during our quest to get a "green" home that sucks up as little energy as possible (or creates it!), we find ourselves living in a "wow - this is beautiful" home, all the better.  And I betcha that as more folks see homes started for reasons #2 and #3, they'll get smarter and more informed on Reason #1.

And isn't this good for everybody?

Yikes!!! It's crazy in Afghanistan and in the States...lots of moving being planned

Hello everybody, it's been awhile since I've written but I think you'll understand.  I have about one real opportunity to write per week here in Afghanistan and that's my Friday morning when I have the morning off.  Beyond that, long days often keep my blogging to an aspiration only.

Jen has been the BUSY one!  Without turning this into an ode to the strength and perseverance of an Army wife...let me just say that Jen has planned our household goods transportation, found us a rental home (close by the lot where we'll build), and is now planning her early move from Carlisle Barracks, PA to Texas - I just don't think I get back from Afghanistan with enough time to move to Texas and get the girls settled in for school.  So...Jen, in front of the whole world, let me just say I'm really, really proud of you.

I was going to write more but you know what, I'm just going to leave it at that for now.  I'll write another blog entry later but for now, on behalf of fortunate husbands everywhere...here's to strong, independent women who have married us lucky ones.

How do you make a house that is for YOUR family?

We've known we want to build a house that fits our family and supports the things we like to do.  And a house that reminds me of the value of this is FallingWater in Pennsylvania.  You've likely seen the pictures but I have to say to see it in person is amazing.  We visited during a camping trip last year.  A stunning house and design that I'm certain gave the family tremendous pleasure when they visits.  But did it cost a lot of money!!  And it still does as many off you know, serious engineering work had to be performed several years ago to prevent its collapse into the creek below. What is the lesson here?  Need to find that balance between life-cycle cost, function, and beauty.  For some, a house is a place to simply sleep, eat, and shower...for others, it's their life on display.  But for us in the middle, we want something beautiful and interesting without breaking the bank.  We want some to "live" in and to us, that means something that excites us and is ours.

OK, get to the point Scot...I'll tell you that my Mom (who I will write about later as she is an accomplished builder in her own right) has talked me out of the idea (dream?) of a cantilevered room over the slope.  The more essential point she brought up is my desire to get away from the formal dining room.  OK, understand her points about resale value, etc.  But what if the definition of "formal" dining room is in the eye of the beholder?  You'll see me make many references to "The Not So Big House" as I make my way here - do I want the standard closed off dining room of yesteryear's homes?  Or do I want something that is the modern-day version.  Something for everyday if I want but easily "dressed" up for the special dinners (isn't every dinner with family special - more than you know as I learn each day of this deployment!)  The first big design decision and really one of those "what do I want our house to be for the way we live?"

Stayed tuned and thanks for reading.  I'd love to read your comments and suggestions.

USGBC Central Texas - Balcones Chapter

USGBC Central Texas - Balcones Chapter

Just signed up for the Central Texas Green Building Council...yes, we're going to talk about LEED certification for this new house.

I just found out that dozens and dozens (hundreds perhaps) of new post housing on Fort Hood is LEED, level Silver certified. Very impressive!

May as well build this house right!