Birkenstocks Not Required: Holistic Green Homes & Green Building for the Average Joe (and Jane!)

Admittedly or not...There is an environmentalist in all of us!
 
Everyone supports the notion of clean water, good air quality, and protecting our wildlife and native forests. However, we must each consider the rapid deterioration of our environment and assume a more aggressive posture on living green and building green.

Credible scientists give us 10 years to be well on our way toward global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions in order to avoid catastrophic climate change. If we are not carbon neutral by 2030, the damage to the planet will be irrevocable. http://www.architecture2030.org/

GREEN BUILDING is the practice of increasing the efficiency of buildings and their use of energy, water and materials. This also reduces a building’s impact on human health and the environment through better home siting, design, construction, operation and maintenance. Green building leads to numerous things. The first, is reduced operating costs. By building green you are increasing productivity and reducing energy and water use. The second thing building green leads to is improved public and occupant health. This comes from higher in-door air quality. Further, building green reduces environmental impacts.

To look at a green constructed building is no different than looking at a conventional home. Their appearance is indistinguishable from the less sustainable counterpart.

Green buildings are scored by rating systems. One of these is called Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or LEED. This rating system was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. Green Globes from GBI, Green Point Rated from Build It Green and others have also developed rating systems.               
                                                              
Buildings have a huge environmental impact, in the United States alone buildings account for:                                                                                         

              1.     39% of energy use 
              2.     12% of total water consumption 
              3.     68% of total electricity consumption 
              4.     38% of carbon dioxide emission 
 
Building green can greatly reduce these figures. By using materials considered to be “green” such as stone, recycled metal, non-toxic products, low-flow fixtures, low-e windows and green cleaning /household products, we are helping everyday to keep our planet green - and keep our family safe!

Good “Green Architecture” also reduces the waste of energy, water and materials. During the construction phase, one goal is to to reduce the amount of material going to landfills. Green building usually takes advantage of renewable resources by using energy through passive solar, active solar and photovoltaic techniques.

Using bioswells & rain gardens for reduction of water run off is another technique that is widely used. My favorite way to preserve water and reduce run off is with RAINWATER CATCHMENT SYSTEM. (I currently have one on my home too!)  Even the smallest home in an arid climate can take advantage of a rainwater system! For example: 600 sq ft home with 7" of annual rainfall would net over 2600 gallons of rain in the storage tank! And the tanks have a firehose attachment on the front! And as less than 1% of the Earths water is potable, it is logical to start saving and preserving this dwindling natural resource!

To figure you rainwater saving ability: Square Foot x Annual Rainfall x .65 = Gallons Saved in Your Rain Tank! For more information on rainsystems contact robert@gutterglove.com 

Building green just makes good cents!

Author:

Nichoel Farris

Green Builder / Designer, American Home Sales

Green Consultant / Speaker, Lime Designs