Green Practices

Energy Innovations - How Homes Become "GREEN".

What green really means: You do not have to be an environmentalist to appreciate living in a healthy and durable home that will serve future generations. Enjoying the benefits requires choosing products and designs that work together to perform efficiently for a long time to come. The construction marketplace is filled with green products, but some do not live up to the hype.

Definition of green construction: The American Society of Interior Designers and Green Building Council define green construction as the design and construction of projects that reduce the environmental impacts of building, including energy, water and materials consumption; waste generation; and harmful emissions both indoors and out.

What a green house is: Sarah Susanka, architect and author of "Not So Big House" series of books states that a green house respects the value of our planet’s natural resources, protects its inhabitants and recognizes the impact and legacy it will leave for future generations.

Elements of green construction: The three elements of a green construction project are sustainable design, nontoxic materials and energy efficiency. Like a three-legged stool, the integrity of the whole depends on each element working with the others.

• Sustainable design includes products and practices that minimize the use of non-renewable resources and will not have to be replaced in the near future.
• Nontoxic materials such as low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints, adhesives, and caulks help keep the environment and your family healthy.
• Energy efficiency applies to both choice and use of products. Gone are the days when we could rely on cheap energy to avoid issues caused by inefficient systems and structures.

Commonly used green building practices: Use a high efficiency air filtration system; incorporate energy saving building materials including insulation, engineered wood and low-e windows; purchase ENERGY STAR certified appliances; preserve existing landscaping; and manage natural water drainage.

What makes a product green: To be truly friendly to the environment, a product must conserve energy in its operation, manufacture and transport; have a long life; make sense in the overall performance of the home; and preferably, be made of recycled materials that can be recycled again.

Sustainability and green construction: Sustainability in building and remodeling primarily involves energy efficiency over the lifetime of a home and the use of recycled materials wherever possible. A successful sustainable construction project will benefit you and your family now, and build a legacy for the future.

How long it will take to see payback from green projects: Energy Efficient Rehab Advisor (rehabadvisor.pathnet.org) is an online tool that provides payback information for a variety of home projects based on your type of home, its age, and the climate where you live. The information comes from US Department of Housing and Urban Development guidelines for energy-efficient housing projects, and recommendations are based on ENERGY STAR specifications.

Where to find green products: The GreenSpec Guide to Residential Building Materials, 3rd. Edition (New Society Publishers, 2008) is the most comprehensive print source for environmentally friendly products for the home.

Greenwashing and how to avoid it: According to the Dictionary of Sustainable Management, greenwashing is any form of marketing or public relations that links a corporate, political, religious, or nonprofit organization to a positive association with environmental issues for an unsustainable product, service or practice. It is easy to fall for false claims if you are not grounded in the basis of green construction and sustainability. The US Federal Trade Commission has issued guidelines for the use of environmental marketing claims illustrated by examples (search for “environmental marketing claims” on usasearch.gov). One of the best ways to know if the product you are buying is truly green is to look for a certification. Check for authoritative sources, listed below such as:

Energy Star
Forest Stewardship Council
Greenguard Environmental Institute
WaterSense
Green Seal
NAHB National Green Building Program
NAHB Green Remodeling