OK, you did it - you invested the time and energy (and cash!) to build your home utilizing green practices. You have had it inspected and certified - it's EnergyStar Certified and GreenBuilt Platinum. This house is a monument to your contribution to the planet!
But, wait a minute. While there are some obvious things a new buyer might notice ten years from now, many of the choices you made as part of the green building process are just not evident to the naked eye. So, how would they even know? How would you prove it? How would you recover your investment?? Right now there is no accepted method to record or document the results of your certification. EnergyStar inspectors provide a label to be affixed to your electrical box, but the GreenBuilt rating points are nowhere to be found.
Wouldn't it be nice if there were a big green stamp someplace? I think we need legislation or administrative directives establishing a common practice, so that buyers, realtors, inspectors, insurers, appraisers - anyone - could readily determine the certification status of any structure.
Some thoughts:
What do you think?
Are you a builder - what do you do?? If you're thinking of buying, what evidence would you want?
Probably the most recognized element of green building is energy efficiency. Also beginning to capture attention, due to global climate concerns, is the efficient management of water. Both bring important savings to the homeowner while conserving important resources.
ENERGY EFFICENCY
Energy consumption occurs during the construction, operation, and, indirectly, in the production of the materials that go into the home. A Green Built home reduces all these impacts. Energy efficient design and appliance selection can make the home up to 20% more efficient, reducing the homeowner’s operational utility expenses.
Green considerations include:
WATER EFFICENCY
Today’s average home per capita daily water use is slightly over 64 gallons. Implementing water conservation measures can reduce this usage to 45 gallons or less.
Green Homes conserve water indoors and outdoors by:
Resource efficiency begins at the design phase. Key considerations are:
Waste Management
A resource-efficient design incorporates materials to maximize function while optimizing the use of natural resources. In addition, resource efficiency reduces job-site waste and recycles generated waste where appropriate.
An average 2,300 square-foot home is estimated to generate between 7,000 and 12,000 lbs of waste during construction. An effective waste management recycling plan may reduce construction material waste by two-thirds, realizing a cost savings for the builder and owner while reducing the burden on local landfills.
In addition, using locally-stocked new building products and incorporating salvaged materials, where applicable, reduces the transportation cost (and green-house gases) associated with job site delivery.
Framing Techniques
By incorporating advanced framing techniques builders can maximize the use of materials, thereby reducing waste and costs. These techniques, in conjunction with engineered materials, improve value, durability, and safety of the home's walls.
Many engineered framing materials provide a superior strength product and use less old growth timber. For example Structural Insulated Panels (SIP) contain a core of rigid foam expanded polystyrene insulation (EPS) sandwiched between two sheets of composite oriented strandboard (OSB). These panels may be used in roofs, walls, and floors to replace conventional sheathing. They have a higher R-value, reduce air leakage, resist moisture, transmit less sound, and are stronger and more earthquake resistant than conventional framing.
In addition, EPS does not out-gas harmful chemicals nor does it sustain a flame. Since these engineered panels are pre-cut, job site waste is reduced and the completed wall contains about 75% less raw wood than a conventional stick-framed wall. They are factory manufactured and can be custom sized for each home, resulting in a structure that is stronger and more energy efficient, while requiring less labor to complete.
Another eco-friendly framing method uses manufactured steel, which is recycled, strong, lightweight, and less labor intensive. Steel is inherently rot- and insect-proof and resistant to moisture damage. It is fastened, not nailed, so it can be disassembled and reused with minimal scrap.
Concrete masonry framing offers strong resistance to natural and man-made disasters. It is fire resistant and offers protection from wind, termites, rot, and mildew. Reduced structural flexing minimizes cracks and nail pops on interior walls and lowers routine maintenance. This stronger envelope also lowers insurance premiums with many carriers.
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