I'm 75. Why Build? Why Blog?

The adventure begins

Why Would a 75-year-old Man Build a “Green Home” and Why Would He Blog About It?

I turned 75 years old in August of 2024. In that same month, my wife and I purchased a lot with the intent of building a “green home.”  I have never built a home. I do not have any construction or architectural expertise. I have lived in the same (not so green) home for 40 years. What motivated me? Why now?

One motivation was my concern about the current state of mother nature.

Mother Nature Is Struggling. There Are Consequences

I do not intend to get into the debate about climate change. Suffice it to say that there are certain indisputable facts about our environment:

• Rising Global Temperatures:  Heatwaves have become more frequent and intense.

• Melting Glaciers and Ice Sheets: Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets are losing billions of tons of ice per year.

• Sea Level Rise:  Sea levels have risen, and the rate is accelerating.

• Ocean Acidification:  The ocean absorbs CO₂ emissions, leading to increased acidity.

• Loss of Biodiversity:  Rainforests are losing species at an unprecedented rate.

• More Frequent and Intense Natural Disasters:  Hurricanes are more frequent and more intense.

These changes in the environment (and others) have led to social and economic hardships.

• Increased Health Risks:  Heat stress, respiratory illnesses, and vector-borne diseases (e.g., malaria, dengue) are spreading.

• Food and Water Scarcity: Millions face hunger, malnutrition, and water shortages.

• Climate Migration and Displacement:  Deteriorating living conditions force millions to relocate, increasing social and political tensions.

• Agricultural Disruption: Global food supply chains face increased uncertainty.

• Damage to Infrastructure:  Frequent rebuilding efforts strain local and national budgets.

• Increased Energy Costs:  Heatwaves increase electricity demand for air conditioning creating a strain on power grids and rising energy costs.

• Tourism Decline:  Local economies reliant on tourism suffer.

• Financial Market Instability:  Rising insurance premiums and business disruption cause financial instability in vulnerable regions.

I have known many of these facts for years and have not acted on them meaningfully until now.

Am I Foolhardy?

In 2022, the average life expectancy in the United States was 78 years (80 years for women and 75 years for men). CDC I am 75. I do not have many years (if any, if the CDC is right!) to recoup my financial investment from building a green home. Likewise, one green home will not meaningfully address the environment – globally, nationally, or even locally.

So, what is the point? Am I a bored retiree looking for something to do? Has senility set in? Am I suffering from a “late-life crisis?” Am I Don Quixote tilting at windmills? Why did I take a leap of faith?

My Leap of Faith

My leap of faith for constructing a green home and the reason for this blog are three-fold.

• First, I have two daughters and four grandchildren. I would like to be an example to them that we all have a role in improving our world.

• Second, I would like to think that sharing my experiences in building a green home -- good and bad -- will take the mystery out of building a green home for others. I hope you can learn from what worked for me and from my pitfalls, as well.

• Third, I would like to motivate others who are “on the fence” to consider what you can do to make our environment more sustainable. You may not be building a new home, but you may have to replace your furnace (heat pump?), you may be replacing your water heater (solar or heat pump?), or you may see the benefit in retrofitting your HVAC (geothermal?).   If my experience can educate and motivate you, I will be happy.

Before going further, I want to clarify what I mean by a green home.

What Does “Green Home” Mean to Me?

There are many definitions of a “green home.” This is my definition, adapted from several sources: “A green home is designed and constructed to efficiently utilize resources such as energy, water, and building materials. In doing so, a green home creates a sustainable living environment that benefits both occupants and the environment around it.”

Key features of a green home include:

• Energy Efficiency: High-performance insulation, energy-efficient windows and doors, and smart thermostats help reduce energy consumption. This Old House   Strategic design of the home maximizes natural light and reduces reliance on artificial lighting and HVAC systems. Wikipedia

• Water Conservation: Features like water-saving fixtures and rainwater harvesting systems reduce water consumption. Wikipedia

• Sustainable Materials: Use of environmentally friendly, recycled, or sustainably sourced materials, such as reclaimed wood and low-VOC paints, reduces environmental impact. Wikipedia

• Indoor Air Quality: Improved ventilation and the use of non-toxic materials enhance indoor air quality, promoting healthier living environments. Green Home Gnome

• Renewable Energy:  Installation of solar or wind electricity generation systems takes advantage of free, renewable, non-polluting sources of energy.

  
  

Expert Input

I will from time to time ask experts that I am working with to post to this blog. I am blessed to have four expert advisors on my project who have experience building green homes and remodeling existing homes in sustainable ways. I expect each to contribute to your understanding as much as they have contributed to mine. My team includes:

• My architect, Tom Bassett-Dilley Architects, is PHIUS certified and nationally recognized. TBDA Architects

  My construction contractor, Bosi Construction, has experience in building and remodeling to sustainable standards (including the renovation of Frank Lloyd Wright designed homes). Bosi Construction

• My geothermal contractor and HVAC engineer, Earth Power LLC, has unique experience in creating geothermal systems in tight urban environments.

• My solar contractor, Ailey Solar Electric, has been in business for two decades. Ailey Solar