review of green building march 2011

Green building is just applying common sense.

Green building is the convergence of 5 fundamental objectives Waste management practices Conservation of natural resources Increasing energy efficiency Improving indoor air quality Connectivity to community

Home Size

478 SF/person

average floor area 1,500 SF

3.14 people per household

In 1950

In 1970

1.6 x 1950

In 2000

2.8 x 1950

297 SF/person

average floor area 1,000 SF

3.37 people per household

840 SF/person

average floor area 2,200 SF

2.62 people per household

WASTE GENERATION - millions of tons each year

20% from construction and demolition industry

10% of construction debris is clean unpainted wood

RESOURCE USE

Construction of a 2,085 sq ft home uses up to 1.5 acres of forest

95% of old growth forests have been depleted

Generation and use of energy (electric, gas, oil, coal) are major contributors to air pollution and global climate change.

INDOOR AIR QUALITY

We spend 90% of our time indoors

Air inside the average home is 10 times more polluted than outside air on the smoggiest days

locally produced,

minimally-processed,

durable and able to be maintained,

low in embodied energy,

high in recycled-content, and

readily-recyclable.

Fly Ash is a byproduct

of coal burning power plants Use of flyash in concrete diverts it from

landfills.

The U.S. produces 1.3 billion tons of Portland cement annually. This emits 1.3 billion tons of CO2 into the environment.

Attributes: Results in a less permeable concrete More durable Less shrinkage leads to reduced cracking

Concrete and rubble can be crushed and used for backfill and drainage purposes at the base of foundations

Using recycled instead of virgin materials saves money and natural recourses

Oriented Strand

Board

Gluelams

Laminated

veneer lumber

FSC certification assures that the forest from which the wood is produced is managed in an environmentally and socially responsible manner

SIPs are high-performance, load bearing panels that consist of a core of foam insulation with OSB on either side.

They are generally R-4 per inch

Advanced framing includes

many wood saving techniques: Framing 24” on center

2-stud corners

Stacking trusses over studs

Use single top plates

Builders’ Guide online at www.RECYCLENOW.ORG Hardware Lumber Plumbing Tile Windows Reclaimed wood

Two types of recycled content decking Plastic lumber

Contains only recycled plastic resins

Check manufacturer for amount of expansion

Composite lumber Made with recycled wood

fiber and recycled plastic resins formed into deck boards

Not for use in structural applications

Fiber-cement siding is composed of: Cement, sand, and cellulose

Textured to look like wood siding or stucco finish

Replaces conventional wood siding or stucco finishes

A green replacement for gypsum drywall,

80% recycled content;

Low VOC emissions (meets CA 01350);

Highly resistant to mold.

Minimize the amount of fresh water used within buildings and outside for landscaping.

Non Invasive Species

No Species Require Shearing

Drought-tolerant Natives

Minimal Turf Areas

Plants Grouped by Water Needs (Hydronizing)

Use High-efficiency Irrigation Systems

Drip, Bubblers or Low-flow Sprinklers

Water Catchment Filter

Rainwater Harvesting

Insulate Water Heaters & Pipes

Locate Water Heater within 12 Feet of All Fixtures

Toilets Dual-Flush or maximum 1.6 gpm

Showers use max 2.5 gpm

Faucets use max 1.5 gpm

Energy efficiency is the cornerstone of any green building project.

Direct Gain: Sunlight shines into and warms the living space.

Sunroom

Isolated Gain: Sunlight warms another

room (sunroom) and convection brings the

warmed air into the living space.

Plant deciduous trees for shade

Natural ventilation is a key cooling strategy

Install window overhangs and awnings

COMPACT FLUORESCENT BULBS

Saves up to $120 over the life of the bulb

Lasts up to 10 years

Use Recessed Lighting with CFLs

Insulation Compatible Air-tight (IC-AT) recessed lighting fixtures are sealed

Lighting controls include: Dimmers

Sensors and timers

Install either at specific locations or as a whole house system

Ceiling fans improve interior comfort: Can be adjusted to either draw warm air upward

during the summer or push warm air downward during the winter

Best locations are bedrooms and living rooms

Solar attic fans exhaust heat from attic spaces in summer and clear condensation in winter Attics can reach up to 150 degrees F. Heat can migrate into the house

Soffit/eave ventilation and gable/continuous ridge ventilation exhaust excess heat and moisture from attic spaces by natural convection.

Whole house fans cool a house without the use of air conditioning Exhaust warm, indoor air Bring in fresh, cool, outdoor air at night Fan mounted in a hallway ceiling on the top

floor

Energy efficient refrigerators can use up to 30% less energy

Look for Energy Star appliances

Check with local utilities for rebates on Energy Star appliances

Exceed the Title 24 Standard for your climate by at least 20%

Avoid damp blown cellulose during wet months The binder reduces the chance of settling. Cellulose is treated to retard insects and fire

Install expanding foam or caulk to prevent infiltration where wood connections are made or framing is drilled to provide plumbing and electrical runs.

Low- E double-glazed windows

Low-conductivity frames

Look for windows that have a National Fenestration Rating Council

(NFRC) label

U-factor A measure of heat transferred by the entire window

(frame, sash, and glass) either into or out of the building.

Visible Transmittance (VT) Select a window with a high VT.

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) Air Leakage (AL)

PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS (PV)

SOLAR HOT WATER

Attached garage is the single most significant contributor to poor indoor air quality (source: U.S. EPA)

Low/no-VOC products are manufactured without: Mercury or mercury

compounds Pigments of lead, cadmium,

chromium or their oxides

Low/no-VOC paints are readily available

Conventional solvent-based wood finishes can off-gas for months

Low VOC finishes are lower in toxic compounds

Can be used in most applications If solvent-based wood finishes

must be used, they should be left to off-gas for 3 to 4 weeks prior to occupancy

Low/no-VOC adhesives reduce toxic gasses like aromatic hydrocarbons

Can be used for all interior applications Flooring Countertops Wall coverings Paneling Tub/shower enclosures

Engineered sheet goods (particleboard, medium density fiberboard (MDF) typically uses adhesives that contain urea formaldehyde

Alternative sheet goods include materials made without formaldehyde

Replaces vinyl flooring Contains petroleum-based

products or chlorinated chemicals such as PVC which off gases VOCs

Lasts only 7-10 years

Manufactured from natural materials like flax seed, jute, and linseed oil

Can last up to 40 years

For slab-on-grade additions or basements

Great for radiant, in-floor heating systems

Durable and easy to clean

Consumer label, tied to independent

field verification

Ratings reflect practices ABOVE

code in CA

Resources for local govt. policies &

incentives

Quantifies environmental benefits

Complementary to LEED for Homes

Platinum: 52-69 points

Gold: 39-51 points

Silver: 33-38 points

Certified: 26-32 points

LEED Category Prerequisites Possible Points

Sustainable Sites (SS) 1 14

Water Efficiency (WE) 0 5

Energy & Atmosphere (EA) 3 17

Materials & Resources (MR) 1 13

Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ)

2 15

Innovation in Design (ID) 0 5

Total 69

Recognizes that each aspect of building design influences others Envelope affects HVAC sizing

Windows affect lighting loads

Lighting affects cooling loads

Waste heat from one process can be pre-heating for another

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Commit to the integrative design process

Hold a charrette

Have regular meetings

Establish communication protocols

Identify scope of responsibilities and interactions for all parties

Identify what aspects of green building are important to your client

Talk with your client, subcontractors, and architect about building green

Use the Green Point Rated or LEED Guidelines to develop project

Ask your local supplier to stock green building materials

Get continual training for yourself and your employees

Implement green practices into your business