Introduction to Green Building

What is green building?

Green building is the process of designing and building a home that minimizes its impact on the environment both during construction and over its useful life.

Green Home Examples• ENERGY STAR Home

• LEED for Homes Certified Home

• NAHB Green Certified Home

• Home Performance with Energy Star Home

• Many others

What makes these green?

Key Aspects1. Team Approach (Work with Other Trades)

2. Site Selection, Lot Planning, and Preparation

3. House Design and Planning

4. Energy Efficiency

5. Durability and Water Management

6. Water Conservation

7. Green Product Selection

8. Indoor Air Quality

9. Reduce Material Use and Recycle Waste

10.Homeowner Education and Reference Manual

1. Team Approach• Teamwork is necessary.

• Green building requires overcoming challenges in overlaps of work, like between plumbers and carpenters

• There will be a learning curve that you go up quickly with just a few projects.

2. Site Selection, Lot Planning, and Preparation

• Though not relevant to construction trades, all should know about basics in site and lot selections.

• Sites that decrease environmental impact (like not building on wetlands) are preferred.

• Sites that do not increase urban sprawl are better.

3. House Design and Planning• Homes with smaller footprints generally

use less materials and later, less energy.• Constructing efficient homes reduces

waste.• Good communication and information

between all of the new construction trades overcomes design problems during construction.

4. Energy Efficiency• A green home is well-framed and insulated

and as airtight as possible.• The windows and doors are selected for

energy-efficient glazing and air seals. • Energy-efficient HVAC, lighting and

appliances are selected.• So, carpenters, HVAC technicians,

electricians, and FM technicians are especially important.

5. Best Construction Practices (Weather Resistance, Durability, & Water Management)

•Many good practices are green, but especially ones that create quality construction.

•Durability and water management issues are focuses of trades that deal with structural materials (like carpenters and masons) as well as those trades that deal with the long-term performance (FM technicians).

6. Water Conservation• Green homes require less water. • The plumbing system is designed with water

efficient fixtures. • Native drought-resistant plants and reducing

lawn area reduce irrigation.• Innovative systems such as rainwater collection

and gray water reuse reduce external water need.

• Plumbers and FM technicians play key roles.

7. Green Product Selection• Several qualities of materials and

products determine whether they are green, like: – Did it come from recycled materials?

– Can the material be recycled in the future?

– Was it made locally?

– Did it use low energy and water to manufacture it?

• While all trades can make green selections, carpenters play a special role because of the amount of materials and products they use.

8. Indoor Air Quality• Several things can affect indoor air:

– Mold and moisture– Radon– Lead and other hazards– Formaldehyde and Volatile Organic Compounds

(VOCs)– Ventilation

• The team of HVAC technician, carpenter, and FM technician play important roles.

9. Reduce Material Use and Manage Waste

• Materials can be planned, estimated, ordered and installed accurately to reduce total amount of use and waste.

• When leftover, materials should be recycled or reused.

• The two structural trades (masons and carpenters) that use the largest quantity of materials play key roles.

10. Homeowner Education and Training Manual

• A green home won’t perform well if it is not operated and maintained as designed.

• All trades must provide information, but the FM technicians play a key role in making sure that occupants understand it and follow through with it.

Current State of Green Building• Many long-proven technologies are

ready to be incorporated.

• Many new materials and products are still coming out.

• A majority of builders are familiar with green building, and a good portion are already using them.

Green Certification Programs• Many programs certify homes for their greenness in

all or some of the above principles, like– ENERGY STAR for HOMES– LEED for HOMES– NAHBGreen– Home Performance with ENERGY STAR

• They vary based on requirements and verification processes.

Future of Green Building• New materials and technologies are

coming out every year.• Green certification programs change

requirements on a regular basis, just like building codes.

• A majority of builders are expected to be using green building techniques within 5 years.

Applying Green Applications to Current RCA Lesson Plans

RCA Text

Green Building Aspect Masonry Plumbing House Wiring

HVAC Carpentry Facilities Maintenance

Site Selection, Lot Planning, and Preparation

Team Approach (Work with Other Trades)

House Design and Planning

Energy Efficiency

Durability and Water Management

Water Conservation

Green Product Selection

Indoor Air Quality

Reduce Material Use and Recycle Waste

Homeowner Education and Reference Manual