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Elements of Green Design
 
Green Building Principles for Home Renovation or New Construction
(With links to additional information from the U.S. DOE Smart Communities Network)
 
When meeting with clients who wish to build a Green home or renovate their home using Green building principles, it is important to know the basic elements of resource efficient building design. Often times, your clients will not be educated about Green building, and you will need to be able to describe the benefits to them, as well as ways you can integrate these principles into their homes. The information we have provided will be a starting point for your understanding of Green design and building.

Whole Building Design
The Whole Building Design approach means that you will make decisions about site development, energy efficiency, materials, water conservation, and construction practices in the context of other aspects of design and construction. This allows for an integrated approach that can result in an efficient, high quality home with minimum cost increases to design and build. For example, if windows are more energy efficient and additional insulation is used, you can allow for reduced sizing of the air conditioning and heating systems. The net result is a more comfortable home, which uses less energy, at little added cost.

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy 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.

Some techniques to use include:

  • Energy Efficiency:
    • Employ passive design strategies such as:
      • Solar design;
      • Use of natural lighting;
    • Install a properly-sized and energy-efficient heating and cooling system, in conjunction with a thermally efficient building shell. Techniques to aid with energy-efficient heating and cooling include:
      • Using light colors for walls and roofs;
      • Installing energy-efficient wall and ceiling insulation; and
      • Using minimal amounts of glass on east and west walls of the home.
    • Consider using alternative energy sources to run your home, such as:
      • Photovoltaics; and
      • Solar hot water systems
    • Employ maximum efficiency lighting systems, which will integrate
      • Motion-censored lights;
      • Task lighting;
      • Low voltage light bulbs or compact florescent bulbs
    • Minimize energy loads from equipment and appliances by purchasing energy-efficient products.

Environmental Impact
The built environment has 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. 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.

Some examples of resource sensitive decisions include:

  • Home Placement/Landscaping:
    • Strive to protect and/or retain existing landscapes and natural features
    • Use native plants with low water and fertilizer requirements
  • Water Efficiency
    • Install very low flow toilets or dual-flush toilets.
    • Use recirculating systems for more efficient hot water distribution.
    • Install point-of-use hot water heating.
    • Use a gray water system for home irrigation.
    • Apply a "water budget" approach that schedules irrigation for landscaping.

Resource Conservation
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.

Resource conservation techniques include:

  • Material Efficiency:
    • Use building materials and products with recycled or rapidly renewable content.
    • Use dimensional planning and material efficiency strategies to reduce the amount of building materials needed.
    • Reuse or recycle construction/renovation materials.
    • Develop plans for managing and reducing waste materials from construction/renovation.
    • Design homes so that there is adequate space to facilitate recycling.

Indoor 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.

Some suggestions include:

  • Indoor Air Quality:
    • Use building materials and finishes that are low in VOCs.
    • Install whole house continuous ventilation.
    • Ensure outside-vented exhaust systems in bathrooms and kitchens
    • Seal combustion furnaces and water heaters off from living spaces and provide independent fresh air intakes.
    • Make sure that attached garages are sealed off from living areas.
    • Carefully control humidity and moisture.
    • Use non-toxic alternatives to pesticides.
  • Proper Maintenance of Homes
    • Performing proper and regular maintenance will assure that a green home continues to perform as it was originally intended.

Community Issues
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 currently developed areas.

(Reference sources for information in the Professional's section include: U.S. DOE, WNC Green Building Directory, SBIC, and B.E.S.T.)


Additional Information on Green Building Guidelines
 
More in-depth information on Green Building guidelines can be found at:
Technical reference books on Green Building design:
  • Builders Manual, climate specific guidelines available through EEBA or in Virginia, you can purchase a copy from VSBN (703.486.2966 or vsbn@vsbn.org).
  • Green Building Guidelines: Meeting the Demand for Low-Energy, Resource-Efficient Homes -- available from SBIC.

For additional information on Green Building Programs that offer guidelines, training, and certifications, visit www.nahbrc.org.

For information on Green building research, articles, and technical assistance from the National Association of Home Builders Research Center, visit www.toolbase.org.

For information on Energy Star appliances, lighting, heating and cooling, and energy efficient home improvements, visit www.energystar.gov.

For information on building systems and energy efficient design, visit www.eere.energy.gov/EE/buildings.html.

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 technical information from Building Science Corporation, including information on mold and moisture problems, visit www.buildingscience.com.

For information on indoor air quality, visit www.epa.gov/iaq and www.lungusa.org.

For information on home energy rating and energy efficient mortgages, visit www.resnet.org.

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.

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