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USGBC and Green Building » Building and Remodeling - What Does Green Mean?Building and Remodeling - What Does Green Mean?By Ed
Shreve There is a lot of chatter, these days, about "going green" in
homebuilding and remodeling, but what does "green" really mean? House hunters
and homeowners wanting to make a positive environmental impact are finding that
green can mean virtually anything a marketer says it does. As with every other
growing consumer trend, a variety of marketers have discovered the sales boost
a green claim can give, and it's sometimes difficult to distinguish facts from
hype. No universal standard yet It would certainly be helpful
if there were an "official" definition for what makes a building, project, or
product "green," but, at this point, there isn't. At least, not yet, but it's
coming. The National Association of Homebuilders is working on a national green
building standard, and they have certified several hundred contractors in green
building practices. There are also organizations that provide levels of certification
for homes and remodels built with green features, such as the nonprofit U.S. Green
Building Council with its LEED certification program. Similar certification programs
exist in many states, and even in some municipalities. For consumer appliances,
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has the ENERGY STAR rating system. However,
the "green" field is so wide, that with many products and materials, and even
with some supposedly "green built" homes, consumers are still on their own in
determining the legitimacy of green claims. The caveat here is the same as with
any other type of consumer purchase: whatever the size of your project, doing
thorough research up front will help you make choices you'll be satisfied with,
not just when the project's done, but for years to come. Common features
of green built projects Despite the absence of a universal standard,
green built projects do tend to have a number of features in common. If you want
your own project to create a positive impact -- on the environment, on your comfort
and health, and even on your utility bills -- you now have more choices than ever
in eco-friendly designs, methods, and materials. Generally speaking, if your project
can incorporate one or more of the following features, you're on the right track.
- Site the project in such a way that:
- The new structure will make
use of natural heating and cooling principles such as shade and passive solar.
- The
construction process and the building itself have a minimal adverse impact on
the site.
- Reuse an existing structure rather than build
a new one.
- Deconstruct rather than demolish, if all or part of an existing
structure must be replaced.
- Reuse materials from the old structure
where possible.
- Consider using salvaged materials from other sources.
- Use
materials made from recycled content where possible.
- Recycle as much
project waste as possible.
- Use building materials efficiently.
- Use
energy efficiently:
- Incorporate insulation into structural members
(e.g., structural insulated panels) as well as walls and attic.
- Use
low-e (low emissivity) windows.
- Use a high-efficiency heating/cooling
system.
- Design to recycle waste heat.
- Design-in lighting
fixtures that utilize fluorescent or halogen bulbs, rather than incandescent bulbs.
- Choose
materials and products with low or no toxic emissions (e.g., wall board, cabinets,
carpets, paint and other finishes).
- Choose sustainably harvested natural
products (e.g., wood products that are certified sustainably harvested, bamboo
flooring, carpets made of natural fibers).
- Choose materials, where possible,
that come from local sources (e.g., local quarries for stone, or anything that
didn't have to get shipped long distances).
- Use water efficiently:
- Use
water-saving appliances, such as low-flow or dual flush toilets and a tankless
water heater.
- Design to recycle wastewater (greywater systems).
- Design
to capture and store rainwater (sometimes called rainwater harvesting).
- Choose
landscaping that is climate-appropriate (e.g., if you're living in a permanently
arid climate, consider xeriscaping instead of sod).
- If you choose landscaping
that will need irrigation, design-in a drip, soaker, or emitter system controlled
by a climate-sensor and timing device.
Choose what's right
for you There's room for flexibility. "Going green," says energy writer
Marilyn Lewis, "can mean anything from where and how you build a home to the appliances
and materials you pick, to strategies for cutting water and energy waste." This
applies to remodeling projects as well. If you can't do as much as you'd like
because of budget or other considerations, heed Lewis's advice: it's OK, you can
be "a little bit green." Know what you want out of your new space, and do your
"homework." Even a few carefully chosen features can help to lower your energy
bills, improve your family's comfort and health, and potentially even improve
the resale value of your home. About the AuthorEd
Shreve is a staff writer for greenremodel.net,
a website for homeowners looking for practical green remodeling resources and
DIY advice. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ed_Shreve
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