GREEN BUILDING

RESOURCES

By: Bailey Gaddis

Green building is the practice of….

1) increasing the efficiency with which structures and their sites use energy, water, and materials.

(2) reducing the impact on human health and the environment through better siting, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and waste removal through the complete building life cycle.

Financial and Environmental Incentives

into account for any building project.

It is not more expensive to build “green” if you take into

account the complete life cycle of the structure. The decreased operating costs,

health benefits, comfort levels, environmental benefits and future value should be taken into account for any building

project. be taken

Financial and Environmental Incentives

• high benefit lighting techniques • less toxic materials • energy efficient air handling systems • access to natural day lighting • superior indoor air quality • individual control of heat, light, and ventilation • landscapes designed to conserve rainwater and natural sunlight

Product innovations have also influenced “green” building programs. In addition, many

environmental laws have been implemented in the last 10 years, forcing builders and renovators to

step up to the plate.  Here are just a few results one

may expect from High Performance Commercial and

Residential Buildings….

• reduction in liability insurance • reduction in workers compensation cases • increased market value up to 100% • decreased energy costs up to 90% • decreased O and M costs up to 73% • overall paybacks

of 2-4 years • higher tenancy rates and demand

The Structured Insulated Panel is known for its durability in high wind areas and hurricane and

tornado prone regions.

 

Some examples of natural materials used in sustainable building practices around the world, depending on climate, are relatively new to the vocabulary. Examples are:  *Cordwood*Strawbale*Bamboo*Earthship*Cob- Rammed Earth

UNDERSTANDING HIGH EFFICIENCY WATER HEATER TECHNOLOGIES

Storage (Tank) Water Heaters

*Water is kept hot and ready for use at all times in insulated storage tanks with capacities ranging from 20 to 80 gallons. Many fuel options are available, including electricity, natural gas, oil, and propane. One drawback of these units is the energy used (wasted) to keep the water hot at all times, otherwise known as “standby losses.”

Demand (Tankless) Water Heaters

*Water circulated through a large coil is heated only on demand using gas or electricity; there is no storage tank continuously maintaining hot water. A possible concern with this technology is the limitation on the number of fixtures that can simultaneously use hot water. However, there is an endless supply of hot water and standby losses are eliminated.

UNDERSTANDING HIGH EFFICIENCY WATER HEATER TECHNOLOGIES

Heat Pump Water HeatersHeat pumps transfer energy from the surrounding air to water in a storage tank. These water heaters are much more efficient than electric resistance water heaters and most effective in warm climates with long cooling seasons.

Solar Water HeatingWhile the initial purchase price of solar water heaters is very high compared to standard models, they can be cost effective. That is because the sun’s energy is harnessed to reduce operating costs up to 90 percent. Solar water heatingsystems require a conventional water heater as a backup water heating source to ensurehot water is available when solar energy is not.

In green building, the materials used

must adhere to strict guidelines. Materials used should be without toxins, like formaldehyde commonly found in

paints and adhesives. The more non-toxic materials used in the building process,

the more points are achieved in the rating process. Some of the materials and structures used in green building

include:

• Shaved trees for building materials, instead of whole trees. This way trees are not killed for building • Carpeting made from recycled materials such as tires  • Tile made from recycled glass • Organic cotton fabrics for upholstery and accessories  • Sidewalks made from recycled tires  (These are designed to absorb rainwater, recycle it through a pump, and use it to flush toilets, water your yard, etc.)

 

• Walls made from the SIPS we mentioned earier concrete forms and structured foam products to withstand high winds.  • Adhesives, insulation, grout, and finishes with low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or no VOCs. • Water furnaces, which utilize rainwater with little to no need for fossil fuels. • Sun Pipe light tubes for gathering sunlight.  • Hybrid lighting systems • Tankless water heaters

Green Building Materials and Structures

*You can see these all relate to not only lower utility bills but better IOQ ( Indoor Air Quality ) for the occupants.You will begin to see newly designed more efficient water heaters, dishwashers, washer and dryer appliances taking up less space, having larger capacity, yet conserving energy and water, automatically adjusting to hot water needs, and using less power to run.  *Solar storage tanks are here to release this stored energy for uses in the home.  *Refrigerators using sensors monitoring temperature and defrost cycles. These same systems will run just as well from electricity supplied by renewable energy resources such as wind and solar converters.

*Units offering sealed combustion, direct venting, load size sensors, more efficient heat exchangers and even IPI-Intermittent Pilot Systems saving a system from running when not needed are becoming popular. These will operate similarly to occupancy controls for saving energy for electric lighting already in use.  *Tankless water heaters are wonderful for the concept of using energy "on demand."  *Look for geo-thermal systems that use the constant temperature from the ground for plumbing and HVAC needs of a built structure. A well drilling is necessary but when all is said and done, using our land for indoor temperature makes sense.

Consumer Energy Study

According to a www.energypulse.org

86% of Americans would choose one home over another based on energy efficiency.

78% of Americans who just bought property say nobody talked to them about energy efficiency.

62% of people want energy efficient dwellings. 

63% say energy prices have increased enough to make them consider changing their consumption habits.

Cisterns*A cistern may become a more popular option. The water is filtered and stored for future use. *Their effectiveness will be based on consumers needs- You would need 45 rain barrels to equal one 2500 gallon cistern. Get to know the contractors in your area. Add these types of systems to your ideas for the new era of "green."

Environmental Factors

Consider these facts: 25% of virgin wood is used for construction, adding to: • deforestation • flooding • biological and cultural diversity losses.  Past building construction design accounts for 40% of total energy use, adding to: • local air pollution • acid rain • damming of rivers • nuclear waste • risk of global warming.

LEED Commercial Certification

*USGBC established a point-scale rating system, detailing the standards to be followed to achieve various levels of certification. Under the LEED® 2.0 system, a commercial project is awarded up to 69 points in the categories of:

1 – Sustainable Design 2 – Water Efficiency 3 – Energy and Atmosphere 4 – Materials and Resources 5 – Indoor Air Quality 6 – Innovation.  

LEED Point System for Commercial Certification:   Certified – 26-32 points  Silver – 33-38 points   Gold – 39-51 points Platinum – 52-69 points and to qualify for LEED 2009, the points will go to 100.

LEED Home Certification

LEED for HOMES® promotes the transformation of the building industry towards sustainability in the residential sector, utilizing a 100¬point scale.

LEED Point System for Home Certification: Certified – 45 – 54 Silver –    60 – 74 Gold –      75 – 89 Platinum –  90 – 136

 

Some of the criteria they evaluate for these ratings are within these eight resource categories: 1 – Innovation and design 2 – Location 3 – Sustainable sites 4 – Water Efficiency 5 – Energy and Atmosphere 6 – Materials and Resources 7 – Indoor Air Quality 8 – Awareness and Education  

• Health is better in green built homes and green commercial structures  • Less toxins in building materials combined with higher SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficient Rating) air handling systems produce better indoor air quality  • Student test scores are 20% higher in green schools and teachers are more engaged in their work  • In green hospitals, nurses make fewer mistakes and patients are released two days earlier  • In green office buildings, productivity is higher – absenteeism is lower  • In green shopping malls (using day lighting and fewer toxic finishes), retail sales are higher.

According to the US Green Building Council:

*The average family spends up to $2,400 a year on energy bills. When you reduce the amount of energy used in your home, you save money on energy bills.  *In addition, using less energy reduces the greenhouse gas emissions. Fossil fuels are currently used for heating and for generating electricity, in addition fueling our automobiles. So using less energy in our homes can dramatically reduce our environmental footprint in terms of global warming, while protecting our environment for future generations.

*installing residential solar photovoltaic and hot water heating systems *constructing or maintaining energy efficient commercial buildings *construction of energy efficient new homes *improvements to existing homes, including installation of high-efficiency air conditioners and other energy saving equipment *installation of residential fuel cell systems *installation of fuel cells and micro turbines (for a business)

Tax credits are available for many types of changes in lifestyle. Home improvements include adding insulation, replacing windows and installing certain high efficiency heating and cooling equipment.

Home Improvements

Tips to Make Your Life More Eco-friendly

-Carpool, walk, ride a bike, use mass transit, or work at home: If every commuter did this one day each week, we’d save 5.85 billion gallons of gas and avoid creating 143 billion tons of CO2 every year.  -Knowing that heating/cooling accounts for about 45% of a home’s total energy use, we need to seal doors and windows and insulate well. The average home causes more pollution than our cars because of the fossil fuels burned to supply the power we need.  -Unplug everything when not in use: Standby power can account for 9-10% of household energy; A television uses 25% of its energy when turned off.

Tips to Make Your Life More Eco-friendly cont.

-Take shorter showers: Aim for no more than five minutes. Also, using low-flow shower heads will prevent 472,630 lbs. of CO2 from entering the atmosphere nationwide.  -Lighting accounts for 20% of all electricity consumed in the U.S. Use energy efficient light bulbs and fixtures, and turn off lights whenever possible.  -Stop junk mail. The production of junk mail (logging, paper production, ink manufacturing, printing, shipping, etc.) consumes as much energy as 2.8 million cars annually. That represents 200 million trees killed just to create the paper — equivalent to cutting down all the trees in Rocky Mt. National Park three times.

Obtaining a Larger Home Loan

A HERS Report includes:• Overall Rating Score of the house in its current condition• Recommended energy upgrades.• Estimating the cost, annual savings, and useful life of upgrades.• Improved Rating Score after the installation of recommended upgrades.• Estimate total energy cost for home before and after energy upgrades.

*The U.S. Department of Energy recommends Home Energy Ratings contain a number score from 1 to 100. Higher scores indicate higher energy efficiency. *Most lenders should have a good understanding of EEMs (Energy Efficient Mortgages), to help consumers upgrade their properties. *If a client normally qualifies for a $260,000 home, they’ll actually qualify for $280,000 with an EEM. How does this work? When a lender factors in the rating for energy upgrades (which will provide a savings on utility bill), along with the many tax advantages offered by the government loan, this creates a positive appraisal evaluation; hence, the consumer can qualify for a larger loan. *In some states, permitting moves quicker if you’re building or renovating using green. Certain lenders and products also offer higher ratios to compensate for the savings produced by green properties.

Lower Your Utility Bills

Switch to Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) can be a huge energy saver. Replace some (or all) of your incandescent bulbs with fluorescents and enjoy reductions in heat production, energy use, and electric bills!Savings: Changing five of the most frequently usedlight bulbs in your home can save you $100 per yearon electric bills! Program Your Thermostat

When you are at home, keep the thermostat at 78°F or higher in the summer and 62°F or lower in the winter. Programmable thermostats allow you to program thesystems to reduce output when they are not needed (e.g., when no one is home during the day, or in the evening when everyone is sleeping).Savings: Reduce your energy bill by $100 per year ormore!

Plug Air Leaks

This simple step can go a long way toward keeping your home at the temperature you desire, saving money on heating and air conditioning bills and more. Common leaks occur around windows, doors, andother wall penetrations. Plugging those leaks with weather stripping and caulk can be a simple task for anyone!Savings: Reduce your energy bill by $100 per year or more! Tune Up Your Heating and Cooling (HVAC) System

Have a checkup for your HVAC system every 2 years to make sure it is running efficiently. Be sure to clean the filter monthly during times of peak usage; a dirty filter can significantly reduce the efficiency of your HVAC.Savings: Reduce your energy bill by $100 per year ormore!

Lower Your Utility Bills cont.

Choose ENERGY STAR® AppliancesENERGY STAR® qualified products meet a high level of energy efficiency, which can translate into savings on electric bills. When considering the price of a new appliance, take into account not only the purchase price, but also the long-term savings associated withan energy-efficient appliance.Savings: Reduce your energy bill by $50 per applianceper year or more! Reduce Water Use• Indoor: Use less water by adding aerators (available for a few dollars at your local home supply store) to your sink faucets and changing to low-flow showerheads.• Outdoor: Incorporate native plants in your landscape plan and minimize high maintenance landscaping such as turf grass to conserve water while still maintaining a beautiful lawnSavings: Reduce your water bill by as much as $100 per year!

Switch to Green PowerGreen Power is an optional utility service for customers who want to help expand the production and distribution of renewable energy technologies. With green power, you do not have to change your electricity provider. Instead, customers choose to pay a premium on their electricity bill to cover the extra cost of purchasing clean, sustainable energy. More info on green power can be found at: http://www.eere.energy.gov/greenpower/markets/index.shtml.Buying local reduces consumption of valuable natural resources.

Use Low-VOC ProductsImprove your indoor air quality by switching to products that don’t give off “volatile organic compounds” (VOCs). Some common low-VOC or no-VOC products include:• Paint: A low-VOC paint is available from mostmajor paint brands• Cleaning products: Low-VOC cleaning alternatives are available for sale, or you can make your own with eco-friendly materials.

LOWER THE IMPACTS OF EVERYDAY LIVING

 

Choose Green Products Buy LocalBuying local produce reduces the amount of fossilfuels required for the transportation of products fromother parts of the country or the world. It also reducesthe amount of plastic and paper products consumedin the packaging of such far-traveling products.Use VOC-free cleaning products like baking soda, vinegarand borax. Use Wood Alternatives or FSC-certified WoodProductsThe type of flooring and cabinetry materials you usecan have a positive effect on your health and pocketbookwhile reducing your environmental impacts.• Consider using environmentally preferable andrapidly renewable products such as linoleum,bamboo, recycled-content tile or non-VOC carpet.• Choose wood products from sustainably managedforests, such as those certified by the ForestStewardship Council (FSC).• Use locally sourced products when possible toreduce carbon emissions associated with thetransportation of those products.

Use Rapidly Renewable Flooring Materials

Now there are affordable, durable, and rich-looking flooring options made from grasses and trees that mature in roughly half of the time (or less!) than it takes hardwoods to reach market size. Bamboo, cork, andeucalyptus flooring products are a sustainable alternative to traditional hardwoods.

Green Your Transportation

Carpool, Use Public Transportation, Walk or BikeWhen PossibleEnvironmental responsibility does not begin and endat your doorstep; green transportation means cangreatly reduce your energy expenditures and carbonemissions from your daily routine. Buy a High-efficiency Car.See the U.S. Department of Energy’s list of most fuelefficient cars at http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bestworst.shtml.

Helpful Links

www.energystar.govhttp://planetpartnership.org

www.catalogchoice.orghttp://greenrealestateeducationonline.com/mod/resource/view.php?inpopup=true&id=37http://www.epa.gov/greenbuilding/pubs/components.htm

http://www.worldgbc.org/http://www.usgbc.org/