Emissions from buildings contribute to climate change that you haven't heard of before

The unfinished house on Rainbow Road, near Windsor's Bradley Airport, has the unmistakable smell of fresh paint. The converted four-bedroom building sits in a row with three other identical Habitat for Humanity homes — all functional and unadorned at first glance. But in reality they are much more. These houses represent the pinnacle of energy efficiency and a departure from the use of fossil fuels in construction. Once solar power is added to their roofs, these homes will be at or near net zero greenhouse gas emissions. Such potential speaks to the state's ability to address what is currently its second-largest and growing category of greenhouse gas emissions — emissions from buildings. In fact, the newly released updated state greenhouse gas emissions inventory shows that for the first time, only the residential sector — not including commercial and industrial buildings — has replaced the electric sector as the state's second largest emitter after transportation. Additionally, the fact that Habitat has built zero-emissions homes that are affordable to budget-conscious homeowners may be a significant indicator that such design and construction is no longer the domain of wealthy homeowners. Yes, they cost a little more to build — about 10% more — said Kris McKelvie, director of construction for Habitat's north central Connecticut office, which means Habitat has to raise more money. "If we raise a little bit more, we could save them hundreds of thousands of dollars over their lifetime and potentially for generations," he said. (Jan Ellen Spiegel, CTMirror.org)