Green building is taking over, not only because it is the more environmentally responsible way to build, but also because it saves money on energy costs and creates a healthier environment to live and work in. At the beginning of the year, Sean Penrith, the executive director of the Earth Advantage Institute, a non-profit green building certification organization in Portland, published a list of the top green building trends to watch out for in 2010 (pdf). The trends and technologies listed after the jump are either really popular already or are very likely to hit it big. Regardless though, if you are looking to build anything this year, be sure to consider these technologies.

1. Smart Home Metering Systems

Information is knowledge, so if you know how much energy your home is using, you can adjust to use less. Even better are smart monitoring and metering systems that automatically adjust to optimize the use of energy in your home. These monitors, which show real-time energy use, will also eventually communicate with the grid reducing power when needed. These devices, like the Onzo Smart Energy Kit, Google PowerMeter, EnergyHub, and Green Energy Options Trio, and other technologies like these are very likely to become standard on all new houses.

2. Home Energy Performance Rating

In some states like Oregon and Washington, it may soon be law that homes are required to have an energy rating when they sell, just like how cars have a fuel efficiency. When home buyers are informed of how energy efficient a home is they can make better choices when shopping for their next home. Energy Star runs the Home Energy Rating System, Oregon has the Energy Performance Score, Texas has the Home Energy Rating Organization, and more states are soon to follow. Soon, you can even expect to see home performance scores on the home listings like the MLS.

3. Building Information Modeling (BIM) Software

BIM software is utilized during the design of buildings to optimize all aspects to increase energy efficiency. Architects and designers can model how a building will behave given certain environmental conditions, materials, solar orientation, renewable energy, HVAC systems, dimensions and size, lighting and more. Experts expect that the use of BIM by architects, designers and builders will become more widespread and even more accurate.  Some of the programs being utilized include, DOE’s Energy Plus along with Google SketchUp’s OpenStudio plugin, and Autodesk’s Green Building Studio

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4. Financial Community Seeing Green

Lenders and insurers not only see the importance of green building, they’re also willing to buy into it because it will help them save money in the long run. Green buildings have lower operational costs, have healthier interiors, and are doing their part to reduce climate change, which is a great risk to insurance companies.  Insurers and lenders also feel that green home owners, for the most part, are more responsible, less likely to default, and more likely to maintain their property. Fireman’s Fund, for example is one of the first insurers to offer coverage for innovative green buildings.

5. Downsizing of Homes

One major trend lately is the building of smaller homes compared to the McMansions of yesteryear. Larger homes are not only more expensive to build, but much more expensive to maintain and operate. Families are seeing that they don’t need nearly as much space as before and can make do with more appropriately sized homes. You may be familiar with the book series, Not So Big House, blogs like the Tiny House Blog, the Small Living Journal and more that have helped popularize the movement and encouraged people to look for and build smaller homes.

6. Growth of Eco-Districts

Cities around the world are beginning to think and built holistic communities with green buildings, gardens, pedestrian orientated streets, public transit, bike lanes and open space. These eco-districts are not only about environmentally friendly buildings running off renewable energy, they are geared towards creating a community of people who have similar environmental ideals. Examples of this abound, like Masdar City in Dubai, net-zero neighborhoods like this one in Boulder, Dockside Green in British Columbia and many, many more.

7. Increased Water Conservation

Even more important than energy conservation will be water conservation. Already millions all over the world do not have access to clean drinking water, and even here in the US, states in the Southwest are experience droughts and water shortages. Water conservation will be paramount and organizations like the EPA’s WaterSense program are working to bring water conservation technologies to the masses. The WaterSense program, works very similarly to the ENERGY STAR program and lets consumers know which fixitures, like shower heads, water faucets, toilets and landscape irrigation use less water.

8. Carbon Footprints for Buildings and Processes

With buildings contributing roughly half of the carbon emissions, everyone is looking for ways to reduce carbon emissions either through better management of building processes, energy efficiency and construction practices. But first we must be able to reasonably calculate and monitor emissions from the building industry. Carbon emissions and building experts are quickly working to create accurate carbon calculators for the building industry, which will become even more important if a cap and trade program is implemented. Check out Build Carbon Neutral and Rocky Mountain Institute’s Green Footstep.

9. More Net Zero Energy Buildings

Net zero energy buildings are a very popular trend, because they generate more energy than they use over the course of a year. The buildings are not only built to be very efficient and tight, but they also generate their own power through renewable energy like solar or wind. One increasingly popular standard is the Passive House standard, which was originally started in Germany. These houses are so efficient, that often they don’t even need a heating system and rely on the excess heat from appliances to keep the home warm. Net-zero homes are becoming more cost effective as the cost of renewable energy technologies are coming down. The US DOE sponsored Solar Decathlon this last fall as well as this LEED Platinum net zero home in Chicago are both excellent examples of net zero homes.

10. Green Building Education & Training

With the slower economy, people are taking advantage of the down time to learn new skills, trades and become certified as experts in the green building industry. Training for renewable energy systems like solar panels is incredibly popular as is becoming a LEED Accredited Professional, who is trained to help consult on and certify green buildings. There are many other ways to become in the growing green building movement, like learning more about becoming an organic gardener, landscape designer, green interior designer, an ecobroker and more.

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