Building Green Concepts & Methods

How to Build Greener

Homeowners and builders are becoming increasingly aware of energy and water efficiency measures, indoor air quality concerns, moisture issues, and the use of green products. Many of the builders in our community have already been taking the first steps toward green building, incorporating deconstruction practices, material recycling, and use of high quality durable materials into new homes. The following is a list of concepts and methods that should be considered if you would like to incorporate more green building practices.

Site Planning

Consider the existing site conditions and how best to respond with a site and building design that minimizes soil and vegetation disturbance and takes advantage of a site’s stormwater processing capabilities and natural light and breezes. For larger sites, check your local zoning code to see if your jurisdiction allows for increased housing density where smaller homes are built around a common open space.

o    Use of natural landscape and low impact site development techniques, including the

    following:

·           Reduce the site disturbance and the area that is cleared

·           Preserve and enhance native vegetation and topsoil to disperse, store, and

       infiltrate stormwater

·           Create areas, like rain gardens, for excess water to collect and filter into the

       ground

·           Use pervious materials to allow water from driveways, walkways and patios

       to soak into the site

·           Amend soils to improve and regain stormwater storage capacity

·           Use vegetated roof systems to evaporate and transpire stormwater

·           Use drought tolerant and native plants and minimize lawn areas

·           Use of alternative foundations, such as pin foundations, that reduce site

       disturbance

o    Building design that responds to natural setting:

·           Orient buildings and windows to make the best use of passive solar

·           Placement of windows for natural ventilation.

Water Consumption 

o    Install dual flush toilets to minimize water used for flushing.

o    Consider eliminating water used for flushing by installing waterless urinals in

    commercial buildings.

o    Consider harvesting rainwater to supply toilets and supplement landscape irrigation.

o    Consider reusing gray water from sinks to supplement landscape irrigation.

o    Use drought tolerant and native plants and minimize lawn areas to minimize irrigation.

Energy Efficiency 

o    Consider how to maximize the thermal performance of the building. There are a

     number of issues to consider, including insulation beneath slabs on grade, at corners,

     at wall intersections, over top plates, etc.

o    Consider how to increase energy efficiency in the design and layout of the heating and

     cooling system. Issues to consider include how to locate the equipment to reduce the

     size of the distribution system and minimize pipeline energy loss, insulation of pipes,

     placement of ducts in a conditioned space, and use of alternative systems such as a

     hydronic heating system. Consider the control devices of heating/cooling systems to

     maximize energy efficiency.

o    Evaluate water heating devices to maximize energy efficiency.

o    Evaluate use of heat recovery devices for air and drainwater.

o    Install Energy Star appliances

o    Consider energy efficient lighting choices and equipment.

o    Evaluate the use of alternative energy sources, such as solar water heaters or

    powering the home with photovoltaic panels.

Health and Indoor Air Quality 

o    Install low or no emission materials from insulation to paints, sealants, and

    adhesives to reduce toxic off-gassing.

o    Limit use of carpet and consider low pile carpet choices to limit allergens.

o    Incorporate moisture control practices.

o    Incorporate construction practices to reduce dust and particulates.

o    Consider air ventilation needs, as greater air tightness has created a greater need for

    appropriate air ventilation.

Material Selection

o   Use deconstruction to dismantle and reuse existing building materials on the site

o   Use material separation and recycling practices to allow all usable materials to be

    used in other building projects.

o   Install materials with longer life cycles, locally produced materials, and salvaged or

    recycled materials.

o   Use of lumber that is certified sustainable harvested wood.

o   Use of alternative systems, such as engineered structural products, to limit waste and

    save raw materials.

The list is not exhaustive, as there are many additional materials and building practices that can be integrated into building green. Check-out our Resources page for internet links to research additional green building topics.