There has been an explosion of interest in going green. Everything from cars to light bulbs are being pushed to new levels of efficiency. New industries are cropping up, it seems, on a daily basis.
But what about buildings; office buildings and schools in particular. These are the places that we spend most of our waking hours, and where we consume most of the energy.
There is a movement, led by the US Green Building Council, to establish standards to which buildings are designed and constructed by. Affecting more than just the energy consumption, but also the environment of the occupants inside. Buildings are certified, showing that it has met the requirements for a particular level of efficiency.
Not only do buildings get certified, but individuals also become accredited. There are thousands of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Accredited Professionals in the United States, all of whom had to pass a fairly difficult test covering the details of the “LEED” program. These “APs” act as a guide to design a building for the specific purpose of attaining high levels of efficiency.
Just as hybrid cars are more expensive than their normal, gas powered counterparts, buildings achieving, or attempting to achieve any level of certification will have an increased cost. The cost, if calculated properly, should be offset by the reduction in energy usage, and the increase in productivity of the occupants of the building. And the payback of the additional cost could come in 5 years.
A recent study released from the venture capital firm Good Energies, Inc states that around 50% of non-residential building will be green by 2015. That is five years from now. It must also be noted that these numbers also include buildings that did not obtain LEED certification, but did adhere to the guidelines. This should be recognized as tremendous growth.
Based on the ever increasing number of buildings being submitted for certification and the growing population of accredited professionals, it looks as though green building has only barely gotten started.
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This is the conclusion of a series of articles on the basic components of good green home construction. Having covered orientation, sealing the building envelope, insulation, efficient HVAC equipment, energy-saving appliances, upgraded windows, water conservation, and indoor air quality, we wrap up with durability and certification.
9 – Durability. One of the basic definitions of a green home is one that is built to withstand the test of time. What products offering increased durability will be used to construct the building envelope? What is the expected lifespan for the roofing and siding options you’re considering? For example, the estimated lifespan of metal roofing is more than 50 years, compared with 20 years at best for shingles. According to the manufacturers, concrete and copper roofing products are expected to last a lifetime.
One of the basic principles of durability begins with moisture mitigation. What products and methods will be used to protect the home from water intrusion through the roof, the walls, and/or around the windows?
Are termites a problem in your area? What termite-resistant products and procedures will be used in the construction of your home? Metal studs, borate-treated framing, installing irrigation and foundation plants at least two feet from the foundation, and exterior termite barriers are some of the possibilities.
Selecting products with durability in mind reduces replacement and maintenance costs down the road and increases the longevity of the home.
10 – Green Certification. Now that we’ve gone over the basics of green construction, you might be wondering if all green certified homes include these features. Not necessarily. The points selected from the green certification checklist and the green certification program chosen will determine the total green makeup of your home.
Your home can be certified as green through national programs such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) designed by the U.S. Green Building Council, and the Green Building Program from the NAHB (National Association of Home Builders). In addition, many states have adopted their own green building certification programs. For a list of local green building programs, visit The National Association of Home Builders. Click the button on the left side of the home page entitled “Find a Local Program.”
Three components of a green certified home:
Whole-house approach: Although there are various green certifying organizations, they all require a whole-house approach to green construction. Because points must be selected from all categories within a certification program, all areas of the home are addressed. These categories generally consist of lot/site, energy-conservation, water conservation, health, and materials.
Inspection: A green certified home also means the structure was inspected during the building process by a green certifying agent to confirm that the selected green products and procedures were implemented or installed. The agent must provide documentation to an independent third party proving compliance with all selected points. If the third party is satisfied that the home meets all the requirements, it will award a green certificate.
Testing: Another aspect of the green home certifying process involves a series of tests on the home itself. These procedures measure whole-house air leakage (the blower door test) and ductwork leakage (the duct blaster and smoke test). Thorough and proper insulation installation is also reviewed through the thermal bypass inspection. (Note that not all tests are necessarily performed on every green home.) For an explanation of these testing procedures along with photos and a video of the ductwork smoke test, visit www.onestopgreenhome.com.
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Guest Writer Tracy DeCarlo
Tracy DeCarlo is author of The Difference is in the Details: The Homeowner’s Planning Guide for Building a Functional Home and owner of One Stop Green Home Certification.
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Green building tips by Tracy DeCarlo & Curt Roese, Orlando Green Home and realty specialists.