What Makes a Building 'Green'?

So you want to build a green building, but where do you start? Whether or not you are interested in LEED (Leadership in Energy & Design) certification through the U.S. Green Building Council or are following another program, there are some ways to make buildings more energy efficient and have less impact on the environment. Here are some tips from Built Green, a green building organization in Washington state.

Energy Efficiency
-Advanced framing can help reduce construction costs and uses 30 percent less lumber than traditional framing. Insulated panels can be installed on the building’s roof for better energy efficiency.
-A high efficiency water heater can help save energy and water. Hot showers usually account for the highest demand. Insulating the hot and cold water pipes within three feet of the hot water can help reduce heat loss.
-Purchasing and using energy efficient appliances in homes, like those that are Energy Star® rated, reduce costs associated with running outdated, inefficient ones.

Indoor Air Quality
-Carpeting that is low-pile or less allergen attracting can help improve indoor air quality. When installing carpeting, tacking is better than glue, which can contain harmful pollutants. Reducing the amount of carpeting can help create a healthier indoor environment.
-When painting, staining or finishing the interior of the building, choose products low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and provide plenty of ventilation through fans or ventilators.
-Use NAUF (no added urea formaldehyde) stock in cabinets, flooring & furniture, which is healthier, especially in areas like the kitchen, where materials with formaldehyde can off-gas.
-Use plants indoors not only as decoration but to help improve indoor air quality. Many plants will flourish indoors and are easy to care for with a little sunlight and watering.

Material Conservation
-One component to green building, in addition to the finished product, is the route used to get there. Recycled materials and regional materials should be used wherever possible to minimize environmental impacts. As little waste as possible should go to landfills. What is a green building if there is a lot of waste involved in its construction?
-Utilize natural products like plants to preserve the landscape. Trees strategically planted can help shade a building from the afte
oon sun and insulate it during colder months.

Water Quality
-When building a walkway or patio area, use porous, permeable materials like paving blocks, gravel or crushed stone, to reduce runoff from impervious surfaces.
-Rainwater can be collected and used in a home or business setting to reduce water consumption and provide water for irrigation.

These are just some of the possibilities, but there are several other ways to ‘green’ a building design. Know of other green building features? Please share them with us at http://greencabinetworks.com/blog.