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Elements of Green Design
When working with architects and contractors on designing or renovating your home or if you are carrying our home improvement projects, consider the basic elements of Green building listed below. All of these elements can readily be incorporated into your home design, and will produce savings, and a healthier, more comfortable home, for you and your family.
Green Building Principles for Your Home Renovation or New Construction Links to additional information from the U.S. DOE Smart Communities Network are provided for the following resources.
Commercially available, cost-effective energy technologies could reduce overall energy consumption in the United States by as much as one-third--worth some $343 billion. This link provides information on strategies such as proper siting and airtight construction, as well as installing energy-efficient equipment and appliances and renewable energy systems. Such technologies can reduce the amount of energy your building needs to operate and to keep its occupants comfortable.
The built environment has had a tremendous impact on the environment. However, your building can interact more positively with the environment if you pay special attention to preserving the site's integrity and natural characteristics, landscaping appropriately, and selecting materials that have lower embodied energy and those that are produced locally.
Conserving resources is a cornerstone of green building techniques. There are many ways to conserve resources during the building process. For example, selecting materials that have at least some recycled content can conserve natural resources and virgin materials. Minimizing construction waste can ease the impact on landfills and resources. Installing water- and energy-efficient products can conserve resources while reducing operating costs. Choosing a green (plant-covered) roof can reduce energy use, cool urban heat islands, and prevent stormwater runoff, as well as contributing to wildlife habitat and air quality.
Energy-efficient buildings are more airtight and therefore hold greater potential for indoor air quality problems, especially if not properly ventilated. Building products can contribute to poor air quality, but these potential problems can be reduced by selecting materials lower in chemicals and toxins, and installing mechanical ventilation systems to ensure an adequate fresh air supply.
Placing green building projects within easy access of public transportation, medical facilities, shopping areas, and recreational facilities decreases the need for automobiles and encourages bicycling and walking. In addition, successful green buildings blend into the community, preserving natural and historical characteristics, and will utilize existing infrastructure in order to reduce sprawl.
(References for information in the Homeowner's section include: U.S. DOE, WNC Green Building Directory, SBIC Green Building Guidelines, and B.E.S.T.) Additional Information for Homeowners and Renters on Green Homes For information on Energy Star appliances, lighting, heating and cooling, and energy efficient home improvements, visit www.energystar.gov and www.eere.energy.gov/consumerinfo/.
For Fact Sheets and Technical Bulletins on a wide range of energy efficiency and Green building topics, visit www.southface.org/home/sfpubs/miscpubs.html. For homeowner information from Building Science Corporation, including information on mold and moisture problems, visit www.buildingscience.com/resources/homeowner.htm. For information on indoor air quality, visit www.epa.gov/iaq and www.lungusa.org. For answers to typical questions from homeowners (based on reprints of articles written for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution by Southface Executive Director, Dennis Creech), visit www.southface.org/home/media/articles/articleFAQ.html. For a downloadable booklet on Home Energy Projects- An Energy Conservation Guide for Do-It-Yourselfers, visit www.southface.org/home/sfpubs/sfpubs.html. For an overview of Green Building Basics, visit www.nrg-builder.com/greenhome-basics.htm. For Green Building Principles, Programs, and Success Stories, visit www.sustainable.doe.gov/buildings/gbintro.shtml. Numerous additional resources have been assembled in the Links and References section of this website. |
 The Sustainable Building Resource Directory website is sponsored by the Virginia Sustainable Building Network, an organization that brings together representatives from diverse sectors who are interested in building healthy, environmentally friendly buildings and sustainable communities. Disclaimer.Copyright © 2008 Virginia Sustainable Building Network. |
