 As
a Nation, We Can Do Better
According to the U.S. EPA, the average home creates
more pollution than the average automobile. It’s not surprising
there is increasing interest in building environmentally responsible
homes, and today it is possible to build “green” without
sacrificing aesthetics or livability.
Following is a brief introduction to various
aspects of building an environmentally-friendly home and
links to helpful articles. Currently,
there are several green building initiatives, but it appears
consolidation is happening around the National Association
of Home Builders (NAHB) National
Green Building Program. For more information, visit www.NahbGreen.org.
Reduced Energy Consumption
Perhaps the largest environmental impact is achieved
by choosing to build an energy-efficient home. Better insulation,
windows and doors can help you
create a “tighter” home, reducing air leakage in and out
of your home. Similarly, energy efficient lighting, heating and cooling
equipment,
water heating and appliances can significantly cut energy use. By building
your home highly energy efficient, you can help conserve natural resources
and reduce greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide, sulfer dioxide
and nitrogen oxides) by thousands of pounds per year.
Homes designed with windows on two sides of rooms increase natural
light levels and can reduce the need to turn lights on. Opening those
windows ushers in natural cross ventilation, lowering dependence
on air conditioning. Large covered porches provide relaxation and
considerable shading, too.
Reducing energy consumption may also be one of your best performing
investments. Often, spending a few dollars more per month in a tax-deductible
mortgage payment can be more than offset by lower utility bills.
And as energy costs continue to rise, your future savings will be
even greater.
Resource-Efficient Product Choices
Choosing to build a home with engineered wood (i.e.,
I-joist floors, trusses, etc.) from managed forests instead
of traditional lumber saves old-growth
forests from being harvested. More durable products, such as siding
and roofing backed by a 50 year warranty are also environmentally
responsible, as they
won’t end up in the landfill nearly as quickly as their traditional
counterparts. Paying attention to product content is another important
factor. Carpeting made from recycled plastic water/soda bottles is
one example.
Homes can be designed around standard building material sizes to
maximize efficiency. Carpeting often comes in 15’-wide rolls,
so designing a family room to be 15’-6” wide means seaming
two pieces of carpet together and often generates waste. Streamlined
structural systems require fewer steel beams, structural headers,
etc.
Water Conservation
A water-saving dishwasher can reduce water consumption
enough to provide all of a household’s drinking water. Some clothes washers save enough hot
water to accommodate your bathing needs. Water-efficient toilets and showerheads
will make a big difference and “home-run”-type plumbing systems
can deliver hot water faster, helping you avoid wasting gallons of water
waiting for the shower to “warm up”. Another important
consideration is landscaping. Choosing native and drought-resistant
grasses and plantings
can minimize water used for lawn irrigation.
Minimizing the negative impact homes have on
the environment is critical. While home plans themselves
are not necisarily 'Green', simple choices in the home’s
design and selection of environment-friendly home products
can make a huge, positive impact.
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