A green building is one where the qualities of both the indoor and outdoor environments have been considered and protected during its design, construction, maintenance and use.

SITE-SENSITIVE

PROTECTIVE OF NATURAL RESOURCES

ENERGY EFFICIENT

WATER EFFICIENT

HEALTHIER INDOOR ENVIRONMENT

Improved indoor air quality, increaseddaylighting, better thermalcomfort/control, no HCFCs or CFCs

Efficient fixtures, wastewater reuse, efficient irrigation

Low energy usage,clean/renewable energy

Materials reuse, efficient buildingsystems, use of recycled and rapidlyrenewable materials

Site selection & planning, landscaping,stormwater management, constructionand demolition recycling

What is a Green Building?

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On average, the construction,maintenance and use of buildings areresponsible for 40% of all the energyuse in the U.S. With only 5% of theworld's population, the U.S. uses 25%of the world's energy resources andcontributes more than 25% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions.

By building green, we can protect thenatural world and even have a positiveimpact. Typical building construction,use, and demolition, as well as themanufacturing of building materials,contribute significantly toenvironmental problems.

THE IMPACT OF BUILDINGS IN THE UNITED STATES

Courtesy of USGBC

• A typical 1700 sq. ft wood frame home requires the equivalent of clear cutting one-acre of forest.

• More than 30% of buildings in the US have poor indoor air quality, a seriousproblem given that most people spend about 90% of their time indoors.

Why Build Green?

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GREEN BUILDING HAS TANGIBLE ECONOMIC AND PUBLIC HEALTH BENEFITS

• Lower operating costs via reduced energy and water utility bills.

• Reduced maintenance and replacement costs due to greater durability of materials.

• Improved indoor environmental quality through the use of non-toxic materials.

• Reduced risk of childhood asthma and other respiratory diseases.

• Higher productivity, less absenteeism, and reduced insurance costs.

• Preservation of natural habitats, watersheds, andecosystems, protection of air and water quality,reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and solid waste.

• Improved health and performance: students achieve 20% better performance in green schools, patients are discharged an average of 2.5 days earlier in green hospitals

AVERAGE SAVINGS OF GREEN BUILDINGS

HEALTH GAINS FROM IMPROVED INDOOR AIR QUALITY

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IT SAVES ENERGY.

• Products that either reduce heating and coolingloads, such as building orientation, high-qualitywindows, and insulation.

• Products that use less energy, such as Energy Star-rated appliances, efficient heating and coolingsystems and florescent lamps.

• Products that produce energy, such as solarelectricity generation systems.

IT CONSERVES WATER.

• Products that conserve water above and beyondwhat is required by law, such as dual-flush toilets andunder-sink flow restrictors

• Products that consume less water, such as nativelandscaping and drought-tolerant plantings.

IT CONTRIBUTES TO A SAFE,HEALTHY INDOOR ENVIRONMENT.

• Products that don’t release significant pollutants intothe building, such as no-VOC paints, formaldehyde-free cabinets, and non-toxic caulks, sealers andadhesives, CRI Green Label carpets and pad.

• Products that block the spread of or remove indoorpollutants, such as duct mastic, effective ventilationequipment, and air and water filters.

• Products that warn occupants of health hazards,such as CO detectors and humidity sensors.

IT PROTECTS NATURAL RESOURCES.

• Products with recycled content, such as carpet, tile,wallboard, and wood replacements made frompolystyrene.

• Products made from agricultural waste material, suchas wheat straw, sunflower stalks, and rice hulls.

• Products that reduce material use, such as drywallclips and concrete pigments that turn concrete slabsinto finished floors.

• Products made from rapidly renewable materials,such as bamboo flooring, natural linoleum, cork andtextiles made from wool, sisal, hemp and organiccotton.

• Wood Products from sustainably managed forestsand certified according to the principles of theForest Stewardship Council (FSC).

• Salvaged products, such as bricks, lumber andplumbing fixtures.

IT REDUCES BUILDINGS’ IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY.

• Products that mitigate the effects of stormwaterrunoff, such as permeable pavers, green roofs andcisterns.

• Products that provide easy access to alternativemodes of transportation such as bike racks andstorage units.

• Products that do not need chemical pesticides ortreatment, such as plastic lumber, physical termitebarriers and native vegetation.

• Products that contain no dioxin-producingpolyvinylchoride (PVC) or ozone-depleting HCFCs.

What Makes a Building Material Green?

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Green products and materials, such as those found in GlobalGreen USA's Green Building Resource Center, save energy,conserve water, protect natural resources, contribute to ahealthy indoor environment, and reduce buildings’ impact onthe community.

Because each project is different and eachperson’s reasons for building green are different,priorities need to be set when selecting specificproducts.

It is important to carefully compare the characteristics whenselecting green products. The choices you make will be theresult of these comparisons and often priorities differdepending on the specific environmental issues in yourcommunity. For example, in one place the most pressingconcern might be overflowing landfills while in another itcould be contaminated stormwater runoff. For children andsome individuals, limiting exposure to toxic chemicals in thehome is a major priority. Understanding these differingpriorities is key in determining what green material is right foryour project.

Green building is as much about design strategyas about selecting green materials.

Integrated design – thinking about how a building works as asystem and designing that systemto be environmentally-friendly –is a key part of green building.Certain products, particularlythose that deal with energy, arenot inherently green but can beused in ways that enhance theenvironmental performance of abuilding. For example, a dual-pane, low-E window may not begreen in terms of its materialcomponents or manufacturingprocess, but if used strategicallyit can reduce energy use bymaximizing the collection ofwinter sunlight and blocking outthe summer sun. Some designconsiderations that will help youchoose the right materialsinclude building orientation, usepatterns, durability, and localavailability.

There is no perfect green material.Trade-offs are inevitable!

Building materials have multiple impacts on the environment,both positive and negative. One common way to assess theseimpacts is through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), whichconsiders the full range of a product’s environmental impacts,from resource extraction to manufacture and then throughinstallation and ultimate disposal.This type of analysis allowsfor comprehensive and multidimensional productcomparisons.With flooring for example, LCA weighs theresource-extraction impacts and durability of hardwoods withthe manufacturing impacts, emissions during use and potentialrecyclability of carpet.

Defining whether a building material is “green”is not an exact science. But there is still a role for objective analysis and testing.

In determining how “green” a material is, it is important torefer to objective resources such as GreenSpec, a database ofapproximately 2000 environmentally-friendly buildingproducts published by the Environmental Building News.GreenSpec screens its products based on standards andtesting procedures established by third-party groups with aninterest in green building.This scientific analysis helps toseparate green products from “greenwashed” products.

What Makes a Building Material Green?

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What Makes a Building Material Green?

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Building green provides a range of benefits, from the personal to the global – economic and environmentaladvantages for families, communities, and the entire planet

The Benefits of Building Green are Direct, Regional and Global

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INDIVIDUALBENEFITS

FORESTPROTECTION

WASTEMANAGEMENT / MATERIALSRECYCLED &REUSED

STORMWATERRETENTION

ENERGY &WATER SAVINGS

REDUCEDMAINTENANCE

IMPROVED AIR QUALITY

STEMMINGCLIMATE CHANGE

REGIONALBENEFITS

GLOBALBENEFITS

ENERGY

1. ORIENT BUILDING TO MAXIMIZE NATURAL DAYLIGHTING

Description: : Natural daylighting is usually available tothe east, south, and west facades.

Benefits: Maximizing natural daylighting reduces theneed for artificial light, thus reducing energyconsumption and utility bills. Dwellings that have goodnatural daylighting are also more pleasant for theresidents.

2. PLACE WINDOWS TO PROVIDE GOOD NATURAL VENTILATION

Description: Natural ventilation systems take advantageof prevailing winds and thermal convection to ventilateliving spaces.

Benefits: Placing windows to take advantage of naturalventilation reduces the need for air conditioning, savesmoney on energy bills, and can make homes withoutair conditioning more comfortable.

3. SELECT A LIGHT-COLORED “COOL ROOF”

Description: Dark roofing materials absorb heat, makingthe house warmer in summer months, whereas lightcolored roofing reflects heat away from the building.

Benefits: Light colored roofing reduces heat buildupthrough the roof, thus increasing occupancy comfort anddecreasing air conditioning bills. Light colored roofing canalso last longer because it does not thermally expandand contract as much as darker colors.

4. PROVIDE OVERHANGS ON SOUTH-FACING WINDOWS

Description: Overhangs or screens on south-facingwindows are one component of a natural coolingsystem.

Benefits: Shading south-facing windows reduces heatgain by screening the summer sun during the hottestperiods of the day.

5. INSTALL WHOLE-HOUSE FANS OR CEILING FANS

Description: Whole-house and ceiling fans improveinterior comfort by circulating cold and warm air.Theycan be adjusted to either draw warm air upwardduring summer months or push it downward duringthe winter.

Benefits: Fans can reduce the need for air conditioningand heating by circulating air effectively, and on averageuses one-tenth the electricity of an air conditioningunit.

6. ELIMINATE AIR CONDITIONING

Description: After the refrigerator, air conditioning is thesecond biggest consumer of electricity in an averagehousehold.

Benefits: Eliminating air conditioning will significantlyreduce a household’s electricity bill.

7. PROVIDE COMBINED-HYDRONICHEATING

Description: Combined hydronic heating uses hot waterstored in the water heater to operate radiatorstypically installed in baseboards.

Benefits: Combined-hydronic heating saves energy byusing hot water already produced and stored in thewater heater, and eliminating the need for a separatefurnace.

8. INSTALL FLUORESCENT LIGHTS WITH ELECTRONIC BALLASTS

Description: Interior fluorescent bulbs and fixturesproduce light quantity and quality that is comparable toincandescents, while expending less energy. Electronicballasts also improve efficiency and reduce flickering.

Benefits: Energy efficient lighting reduces energyconsumption and lowers utility bills. One compactflorescent bulb will pay itself back over ten times overthe course of its life through reduced energy use.

Top 20 No- or Low-Cost Green Building Strategies

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9. INSTALL HIGH R-VALUE INSULATION

Description: Insulation provides a continuous thermalbarrier to minimize heat flow through the walls, ceilingand floor.The higher the R-value, the greater thematerial’s ability to insulate.

Benefits: Installing higher R-value insulation improvescomfort, decreases demand for air conditioning andheating, saves money, and makes the home quieter.

10. SELECT ENERGY STAR APPLIANCES

Description: Refrigerators and freezers are among thelargest users of electricity in most homes.They canaccount for up to 25% of household energy use.Energy Star appliances use 10-15% less energy andwater than standard models.

Benefits: Energy Star refrigerators can save over 10% ofthe total annual electrical bill in a home. Check withthe local utility company for rebate programs.

WATER

11. DESIGN WATER-EFFICIENTLANDSCAPES

Description: Low-water landscape designs (such asxeriscape) reduce water use by emphasizing nativeand/or drought tolerant plants, eliminating turf areas,and minimizing maintenance. Efficient irrigation systems,such as drip and micro irrigation, place the correctamount of water directly at the base of each plant, thusreducing water use and waste from overwatering.

Benefits: Water efficient landscape and irrigationsystems help plant growth and overall health byeliminating overwatering or excessive drying.They alsolower water bills and reduce impacts on water supplyinfrastructure.

12. INSTALL WATER-EFFICIENT TOILETSAND FIXTURES

Description: New toilets use 1.6 gallons per flushcompared with old toilets that require 5-7 gallons perflush. Flow reducers fit into the aerator at the tip of thefaucet and reduce the rate of water flow through thefaucet. Low-flow showerheads replace standardshowerheads.

Benefits: Low-flow toilets can save up to 22,000 gallonsof water per year for a family of four. Flow reducerscan cut water usage of faucets and showers by asmuch as 40% with little noticeable effect.

13. USE PERMEABLE PAVING MATERIALS

Description: Permeable paving allows stormwater topercolate into the soil.

Benefits: Permeable paving allows on-site percolation,thus reducing the volume of polluted water that flowsinto rivers or bays, while replenishing soil moisture andlocal aquifers. Additional benefits include reduction inirrigation requirements and a lower risk of flooding.

MATERIALS

14. USE 30% - 50% FLYASH IN CONCRETE

Description: Flyash is a byproduct of coal burning powerplants and can be an inexpensive substitute for 15% -40% of the Portland cement used in concrete.

Benefits: Flyash increases the strength and durability ofthe concrete. Using flyash also reduces the amount ofcement needed, thereby decreasing the overallenvironmental impacts of cement production (miningand energy consumption).

Top 20 No- or Low-Cost Green Building Strategies(continued)

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15. USE ENGINEERED WOOD FORHEADERS, JOISTS,AND SHEATHING

Description: Solid sawn lumber in sizes of 2X10 orgreater typically comes from old growth forests.Engineered lumber products, however, come from small-diameter and fast growing plantation trees. 2X10 andlarger dimensional lumber is typically used for floor andceiling joists and some seismic applications. Large sizelumber can be replaced with engineered lumber(microlam, paralam, gluelam) in most applications unlessrequired by seismic codes. Solid sawn 4X6s are oftenused for headers when smaller dimension lumber wouldsuffice, such as double 2X6s, unless solid 4X6s arerequired by seismic codes.Wood I-Joists are an altern-ative to 2X6s or 2X8s used for floor and roof joists.

Benefits: Reducing demand for large dimensional lumberdecreases pressure to cut down old growth forests.Engineered lumber uses wood fiber more efficientlythat conventional lumber, resulting in stronger andhigher quality homes.

16. USE RECYCLED-CONTENTINSULATION, DRYWALL,AND CARPET

Description: Recycled-content insulation, drywall, andcarpet are made from recycles paper, recycled plasticand glass bottles, recycled wool or recycled cotton.They don’t differ in appearance or performance andthe prices are comparable to conventional products.

Benefits: Recycled-content materials save resources anddivert waste from landfills. Approximately 40 two-litersoda bottles are recycled into each square yard ofrecycled-content carpeting. Recycled-content insulationmay contain up to 30% recycled glass.

INDOOR AIR QUALITY

17. USE LOW- OR NO-VOC PAINT

Description: No-VOC paint does not emit odorsrelated to volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Organicchemicals are widely used as ingredients in householdproducts like paint, adhesives, cleaning supplies, etc. No-VOC paint is used exactly like conventional paint. No-VOC paints are most suitable for indoor use.

Benefits: Use of low- or no-VOC paint can eliminatethe eye, nose, and throat irritation, loss of coordination,and potentially damage to the liver and central nervoussystem caused by VOCs. Outside,VOCs can bond withother pollutants and create ground-level ozone.

18. USE FORMALDEHYDE-FREE OR FULLYSEALED MATERIALS FOR CABINETS ANDCOUNTERS

Description: Particleboard typically containsformaldehyde, which can offgas for 10-15 years. EPAranks formaldehyde as a probable human carcinogen.Exposure can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, skinrashes, headaches, nosebleeds and nausea.

Benefits: Elimination of formaldehyde-based materialsreduces exposure to residents, particularly children,who are most susceptible. Sealing with a flat, latex-based primer or other suitable material can preventthe offgassing of formaldehyde.

19.VENT RANGEHOOD TO THE OUTSIDE

Description: Steam, gases, smoke and other combustionby-products (such as unburned hydrocarbons) canresult from cooking. Stovetop range hoods expel theseby-products to the outside.

Benefits: Range hoods improve indoor air quality,prevent overheating and reduce moisture build-up.

20. INSTALL CARBON MONOXIDEDETECTOR

Description: Carbon monoxide detectors monitor thelevel of this gas in individual dwelling units.

Benefits: Detectors can reduce harmful human healtheffects of carbon monoxide, a common indoor airpollutant created by the combustion of natural gasfrom stoves and heaters.

Top 20 No- or Low-Cost Green Building Strategies(continued)

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1. LIGHT UP - replace three incandescent bulbs with fluorescent bulbs inyour home and eliminate 300 lbs. of CO2 (lasts longer, burns less).

2. RECYCLE – recycling half of the aluminum, glass, plastic, and paper youuse reduces 2400 lbs. of CO2.

3. PURCHASE GREEN POWER – if available in your area,purchase 100% green power from a company and prevent 3800 to 6200 lbs. of CO2from entering the atmosphere.

4. BUILD GREEN & USE SOLAR POWER – ifremodeling or building a new home, use green materials and solar energy (use federaltax credits and state buy down programs if available) to reduce 1000 to 6000 lbs. ofCO2.

5. TURN IT DOWN,TURN IT UP – turn your heater down and your air conditioner up by three degrees and save 1050 lbs. of CO2 per year.

6. WASH COOL – do two loads of your laundry per week in cold orwarm water instead of hot (and hang stuff out to dry when you can), save 500 lbs.of CO2 a year.

7. STORE SMARTLY, SAVE MONEY – buy energy starrefrigerators and other appliances and save money as well as 1000 lbs. of CO2 a year.

8. BE WATER WISE – buy low-flow toilets that can save up to 22,000gallons of water per year for a family of four.

9. USE GREEN PAINTS – buy No-VOC (volatile organiccompounds) or low VOC paints that can eliminate eye, nose and throat irritation, andmore severe health threats.

10. FAN IT – Installing a whole-house or ceiling fan improves interiorcomfort by circulating cold and warm air and dramatically reduces the need for airconditioning at 1/10 the price.

For more great ideas on how to make your home more green, visit www.globalgreen.org.

Thanks to One Sweet World and EPA for Assistance with Carbon Data

GLOBAL GREEN USA’S

Ten Tips for Greening Your Home

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CARBON-NEUTRAL DESIGNBuildings are a main contributor to global warminggenerating 30% of U.S. CO2 emissions (the mostsignificant greenhouse gas pollutant). Minimizingenergy use that requires the burning of fuels forpower generation which causes CO2 emissions cango a long way to reducing global warming. It isimprobable that one can design a project with zerocarbon emissions, but it is possible that once theenergy footprint is dramatically reduced, the remainingemissions can be offset through outside sources,essentially creating carbon-neutral site.There are manycarbon calculators available on-line to estimate thecarbon released for single person or family, but it isrecommended to hire an energy consultant todetermine an accurate amount of carbon emissionsfor a large-scale project.

ENERGY STARAn energy-efficiency rating system sponsored by theEnvironmental Protection Agency. A high Energy Starrating means that the product is designed to minimizeits energy consumption. www.energy star.gov

FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL (FSC) A third-party certification for wood, wood productsand forests.The FSC tracks the wood from its forestof origin all the way through the chain of custody towhere the product is sold. An FSC certified producthas been harvested and produced in a stringently eco-sensitive manner. www.fsc.org

LEADERSHIP IN ENERGY &ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN (LEED)Developed and administered by the U.S. GreenBuilding Council, the LEED rating system is the mostwidely known and accepted green buildingcertification program. www.usgbc.org/leed

LIFE CYCLE ANALYSISThe process of tracing a product, material or practicefrom its origin through its final disposal or reuse, fromfactory to landfill or recycling plant. Looking at thewhole picture is a tenet of green philosophy.

OFF-GASSING Many of those “new house” smells are actuallyhazardous to our health.The emissions from buildingmaterials and other products in the home accumulatein the bloodstream and have been linked to increasingrates of asthma and some cancers, particularly inchildren.The best way to avoid off-gassing is to lookfor natural products that don’t contain toxins such asformaldehyde.

RECYCLED CONTENT The amount of recycled (reused) material in a givenproduct. Post-industrial recycled content refers to theuse of scraps from industrial manufacturing. Post-consumer content is the reuse of products thatconsumers have used and thrown away.

SOLAR ENERGYEnergy derived from the sun.The solar panels thatmost of us associate with solar energy are calledphotovoltaic panels; they transform the sun’s rays intousable electricity. Solar thermal processes can be usedto heat our hot water.

VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUND (VOC)The toxic or noxious chemicals that are found in orreleased from paints, stains, adhesives and sealants.Whenever possible, look for products labeled ashaving Low, No or Zero VOCs.

SUSTAINABLEmeeting the needs of the present withoutcompromising the ability of futuregenerations to meet their needs.

GREENA practice that works with nature instead of against it.

Eco Glossary

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Green Options in a Second Floor Remodel

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Green Options in a New Addition Remodel

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Green Options in a Bathrooom Remodel

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Green Options in a Kitchen Remodel

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