10 Ways to Build Green
Technical
10 Ways to Build Green
1) Plan with the Local Climate: Planning your project with the local climate in mind will reduce the time and energy required of your heating and cooling system in addition to providing a more pleasant living experience. Be sure the layout of your project, the placement of windows, and the size of overhangs are designed to take advantage of prevailing breezes and changing sun conditions throughout the year. When the weather is nice you can turn your air conditioner off, open the windows, and enjoy the day.
2) Insulation, Insulation, Insulation: Insulation slows the time it takes for heat to transfer through walls and roofs. The more you have, the longer your house will stay warm or cool and the less your heating and cooling system will need to run.
3) Double-Down on Windows: Windows are big holes in insulated walls. Double-pane windows, also called an Insulated Glass Unit (IGU), usually contains an inert gas such as argon that adds to its insulating ability. An additional Low-E (Emissivity) coating that will greatly increase their insulating value. If you are renovating a project with single-pane historic windows, consider adding a secondary storm window inside or outside. Secondary storm windows add great energy savings, cost less than full windows, and will not detract from the historic appearance of the original window.
4) Seal It! In many homes and buildings unsealed cracks and crevasses can be the equivalent of leaving a window open all the time. Not only do they allow warm or cool air to escape more quickly, they provide pathways for pests and moisture. To avoid this, ensure joints are tight and sealant is applied where walls meet ceilings, floors, doors, and windows, and where all pipes, wires, and vents penetrate walls and floors. Pay close attention to sealing the kitchen area to reduce pests. The duct work from your heating and cooling system should also be sealed to prevent air escaping before it gets to your air vent. There are pressure tests called 'blower' tests that can be done to your home or building and duct work during construction to help reduce air leaks and utility bills.
5) Choose Efficient Heating and Cooling Systems: Consider geothermal if your building site is suitable for it. This systems uses pipes in the earth in lieu of an outside condenser; which allows it to operate at twice the efficiency and half the utility cost.
6) Go Low-Flow, Tankless, or Hybrid: To reduce the energy required to heat water, consider a hybrid heat-pump water heater or a tankless water heater. Unlike the conventional system that constantly heats a huge tank of water, tankless systems work on demand, rapidly heating water when you turn on the faucet, and heat-pump water heater tanks use 1/4 the energy a standard tank uses. To reduce the amount of water you use, install low-flow faucets, shower heads, and toilets. Look for the the EPAs 'WaterSense' label as a guide.
7) Use the Sun and Store the Energy: Solar roof top panels can augment your power needs by 50% or better if your building site is suitable for them. Tesla and Generac also make solar storage batteries for your home or building; they also function as back-up power when the grid goes down! Utility companies are quickly changing the way in which they charge for and deliver power to your home or building. Batteries - with or without solar attached - are a way to offset utility demand-based rates.
8) Be a Responsible Steward of the Earth: Know where products come from. Look for labels that certify it came from renewable or recycled resources. Look for recycled content in all products from insulation to roofing to reduce the demand for mining the earth. Most importantly, make sure the waste materials from construction are being recycled and not sent to the landfill.
9) Kill the Smell: The smell of fresh paint and new carpet is affecting your health. Widely used organic chemicals are emitted as gasses from many solid and liquid products and can persist in the air long after a product has been installed. Look for products labeled as "Zero" or "Low-VOC" (Volatile Organic Compounds), particularly in paints and sealants.
10) Think Long Term: A home or building is an enormous financial investment. Building green does not have to add a lot to construction costs, but if thoughtfully planned, your initial investment will pay dividends for years to come.
FOR A MORE IN-DEPTH READ SEE OUT FOLLOWING POSTS:
WATER HEATERS: Making Sense of the Many Options
BUILDING ENERGY: Consumption, Savings, and Tax-Credits
Text and Image by ThoughtCraft Architects