| There is a lot of chatter, these days, about "going | | | | existing structure must be replaced. |
| green" in homebuilding and remodeling, but what does | | | | Reuse materials from the old structure where |
| "green" really mean? House hunters and homeowners | | | | possible. |
| wanting to make a positive environmental impact are | | | | Consider using salvaged materials from other sources. |
| finding that green can mean virtually anything a | | | | Use materials made from recycled content where |
| marketer says it does. As with every other growing | | | | possible. |
| consumer trend, a variety of marketers have | | | | Recycle as much project waste as possible. |
| discovered the sales boost a green claim can give, | | | | Use building materials efficiently. |
| and it's sometimes difficult to distinguish facts from | | | | Use energy efficiently: |
| hype. | | | | - Incorporate insulation into structural members (e.g., |
| No universal standard yet | | | | structural insulated panels) as well as walls and attic. |
| It would certainly be helpful if there were an "official" | | | | - Use low-e (low emissivity) windows. |
| definition for what makes a building, project, or | | | | - Use a high-efficiency heating/cooling system. |
| product "green," but, at this point, there isn't. At | | | | - Design to recycle waste heat. |
| least, not yet, but it's coming. The National | | | | - Design-in lighting fixtures that utilize fluorescent or |
| Association of Homebuilders is working on a national | | | | halogen bulbs, rather than incandescent bulbs. |
| green building standard, and they have certified | | | | Choose materials and products with low or no toxic |
| several hundred contractors in green building | | | | emissions (e.g., wall board, cabinets, carpets, paint and |
| practices. There are also organizations that provide | | | | other finishes). |
| levels of certification for homes and remodels built | | | | Choose sustainably harvested natural products (e.g., |
| with green features, such as the nonprofit U.S. Green | | | | wood products that are certified sustainably |
| Building Council with its LEED certification program. | | | | harvested, bamboo flooring, carpets made of natural |
| Similar certification programs exist in many states, | | | | fibers). |
| and even in some municipalities. For consumer | | | | Choose materials, where possible, that come from |
| appliances, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | | | | local sources (e.g., local quarries for stone, or anything |
| has the ENERGY STAR rating system. However, the | | | | that didn't have to get shipped long distances). |
| "green" field is so wide, that with many products and | | | | Use water efficiently: |
| materials, and even with some supposedly "green | | | | - Use water-saving appliances, such as low-flow or |
| built" homes, consumers are still on their own in | | | | dual flush toilets and a tankless water heater. |
| determining the legitimacy of green claims. The | | | | - Design to recycle wastewater (greywater |
| caveat here is the same as with any other type of | | | | systems). |
| consumer purchase: whatever the size of your | | | | - Design to capture and store rainwater (sometimes |
| project, doing thorough research up front will help | | | | called rainwater harvesting). |
| you make choices you'll be satisfied with, not just | | | | - Choose landscaping that is climate-appropriate (e.g., |
| when the project's done, but for years to come. | | | | if you're living in a permanently arid climate, consider |
| Common features of green built projects | | | | xeriscaping instead of sod). |
| Despite the absence of a universal standard, green | | | | - If you choose landscaping that will need irrigation, |
| built projects do tend to have a number of features | | | | design-in a drip, soaker, or emitter system controlled |
| in common. If you want your own project to create | | | | by a climate-sensor and timing device. |
| a positive impact -- on the environment, on your | | | | Choose what's right for you |
| comfort and health, and even on your utility bills -- | | | | There's room for flexibility. "Going green," says |
| you now have more choices than ever in eco-friendly | | | | energy writer Marilyn Lewis, "can mean anything from |
| designs, methods, and materials. Generally speaking, if | | | | where and how you build a home to the appliances |
| your project can incorporate one or more of the | | | | and materials you pick, to strategies for cutting |
| following features, you're on the right track. | | | | water and energy waste." This applies to remodeling |
| - Site the project in such a way that: | | | | projects as well. If you can't do as much as you'd like |
| - The new structure will make use of natural heating | | | | because of budget or other considerations, heed |
| and cooling principles such as shade and passive solar. | | | | Lewis's advice: it's OK, you can be "a little bit green." |
| - The construction process and the building itself | | | | Know what you want out of your new space, and |
| have a minimal adverse impact on the site. | | | | do your "homework." Even a few carefully chosen |
| Reuse an existing structure rather than build a new | | | | features can help to lower your energy bills, improve |
| one. | | | | your family's comfort and health, and potentially even |
| Deconstruct rather than demolish, if all or part of an | | | | improve the resale value of your home. |