The Basics of "green"

From: The Grassroots Newsletter, May 2007

Editor's Note:

Kermit the frog used to sing "It's not easy being green." That philosophy isn't entirely true today. This month we will discuss what is "green" and dispel myths about building "green." The article will continue next month with how to get started, designs, guidelines and where to find more information.

Please enjoy, and, thanks for reading The Grassroots Newsletter.

The Basics of "green"

One article from Environmental Building News list the following when defining "green." Products made with salvaged, recycled or agricultural waste content; products that conserve natural resources; products that avoid toxic or other emissions; products that save energy or water; and products that do not release significant pollutants into a building.

Choose an environmentally friendly site. Orient the building to maximize natural sunlight for heat and light. Don't clear-cut the entire area. The trees remaining help cool the building in the summer and provide wind breaks in the winter. Cluster buildings to preserve open space and wildlife corridors. Build on areas previously degraded. Design landscapes to absorb storm water instead of putting in storm sewers to carry it off-site.

Use energy-efficient designs and materials to prevent HVAC loss. Less outside air infiltrating the building makes the indoor climate much easier to control. Air-tight buildings are critical to energy efficiency, but as a result, the indoor air quality is five times more polluted than air outdoors. To prevent this, use a fresh air ventilation system to exhaust the stale indoor air to the outside while bringing fresh air into the building, all while conserving energy at the same time.

Using low-flow fixtures reduce the building's water consumption. One technology is incorporating air into the process, which results in a low-flow shower that feels as strong as one using much more water.

Practice material conservation and waste reduction while using sustainable products in design and construction. Many engineers in the building materials industry have designed a myriad of products to save lumber by using optimal value engineered joists and beams requiring minimal trimming and boring for mechanical run. You can recycle job site waste and use it as mulch in a newly planted landscape.

For more details, visit www.buildinggreen.com.

Myths

Building green is expensive: The answer to this one is a "yes...but" answer. Finding the materials may be somewhat more difficult, and yes, they sometimes cost more than traditional materials, but adding a bit more to the cost now to have a home that can endure for years without requiring any serious maintenance, and at the same time save on energy costs, is well worth the initial cost.

Green building is all about material selection: Although we want to use materials with high recycled content, no VOC's, etc., this is just a small part of the big picture. As stated before, site selection, energy-efficient appliances, and water consumption are also parts of building green.

Green building problems don't work as well: Granted, the low-flow toilets of yesteryear posed some problems and there are still some people who believe inhaling fiberglass fibers will give you cancer, but today, new green products work just as well, if not better, than traditional products.

The products are hard to find: In some parts of the country, this is true. Not all products are manufactured nationwide. However; there are literally thousands of mainstream green products available. There is a plethora of web sites for just about every type of green product imaginable. To get you started, visit www.buildinggreen.com, www.buildingforhealth.com, or www.greensage.com.

Green buildings are 'ugly' and too complicated to build: Many green homes today are virtually indistinguishable from a 'typical' home. For instance, there are many ways to integrate PV panels for solar power that are attractive and effective. As for the too complicated to build, Ron Jones, owner of Sierra Custom Builders in Placitas, NM, states "This is a business that is about common sense, and a lot of green building is very fundamental. It all begins with a tight building envelope; the rest of it is not very exotic or akin to rocket science."