What is Green Design?
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Building green means incorporating environmental considerations and resource efficiency into every step of the home building and land development process to minimize environmental impact.
A green home incorporates smart design, technology, construction and maintenance elements to create a high performance home and improve the health of the people who live inside.
Green Design is Smart Design.
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What are the features of Green Design?
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Energy efficiency
Green Design minimizes home energy consumption by creative use of day-lighting, use of energy efficient systems and appliances, and advanced insulation and construction techniques. To further reduce the house's carbon footprint, Green Design may use alternative energy sources such as solar panels and ground source heat pumps.
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Water efficiency
Watering lawns consumes 30% of municipal fresh water in the eastern U.S., in addition to the fertilizers and pesticides that are absorbed into the groundwater system. By using captured rainwater and grey water from non-contaminated sources for irrigation, native plantings, and natural landscaping methods, water usage can be reduced. Water saving fixtures and appliances are standard. |
Excellent indoor air quality
The EPA has deemed indoor air quality one of the top five environmental health risks the U.S. faces today. According to a Massachusetts special legislative report, 50% of all illnesses are caused by indoor air pollution caused by improper ventilation, products containing carcinogenic chemicals, formaldehyde fumes, solvents and VOC’s, and unhealthy mold and mildew. A Green Design home has proper ventilation planned in, and uses only products that are free of
contaminants. This discourages the growth of mold and mildew and reduces the risk of exposure to pollutants that may trigger asthma, allergies, or other environmentally caused illnesses.
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Respect for the site
Consideration is given to soil erosion, orientation to the sun, water and landscape resources, and neighborhood and community impact. |
Reduced environmental impact
By using materials that are recycled, renewable, and that are manufactured locally using sustainable methods, the building process will have a reduced impact on the environment.
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What are the benefits of Green Design?
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Lower utility bills
"Green" homes on average save 30-50% on energy bills and reduce CO2 emissions by a similar amount.* |
Healthier indoor environment
Using Green Design methods reduces the risk of exposure to pollutants that trigger asthma, allergies, and other environmentally caused illnesses. |
Reduced carbon footprint
Maximizing efficiency, minimizing waste, and consuming less energy are deeply satisfying ways to make a meaningful contribution to the problem of global warming. |
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What are the costs of Green Design?
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In 2006 the extra cost of using LEED standard certification methods in construction was between zero and 3%, while the cost of using the more stringent LEED platinum certification methods added a cost premium of less than 10%. (Posted by Envirostats on Friday, August 31, 2007)
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Alternative energy sources such as solar panels, wind turbines, and ground source heat pumps are becoming cheaper and more readily available, as are water saving plumbing fixtures and appliances.
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| Studies have suggested that an initial up front investment of 2% will yield over ten times the initial investment over the life cycle of the building.
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*According the U.S Green Building Council.
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