What is Green Building?4409842
The word green may bring many images to your mind. You might think of green with envy, greenbacks, a greenhorn, Geico lizard green or how could we neglect Kermit the Frog's famous tune: It Ain't Simple Bein' Green?
So what is the meaning of green as it relates to the residential building business?
Since "green" is so a lot in the news lately, it would be perfect to come up with a common definition.
Green building can mean various things to different individuals, but three themes seem to emerge from the vast quantity of information written on this topic:
1. Energy Efficiency
2. Non-toxic materials
3. Decreased consumption (fuel and resource conservation)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Let's start with energy efficiency. Are you mortified by the skyrocketing gas costs? Are you shocked by the price tag on your monthly electric/energy bills? In my area of the state, the power company attempted a 43% price improve in the past year. Prices continue to escalate, and the price of living rises yearly - does your earnings maintain up with these rate increases?
If you look closely at your month-to-month spending budget, most likely a hefty portion of your outlay goes for fuel, electricity, and water consumption. Slashing these expenses could make a massive difference in your cash flow.
Even the U.S.government recognizes the significance of energy efficiency. You may have noticed the Energy Star rating on many appliances because they meet government requirements for energy conservation. Following the lead of numerous other countries, North America is quickly gaining momentum in the quest for knowledge and demand for safer green living.
NON TOXIC Materials
Why the fuss over non-toxic building supplies? Well, if you or your child has allergies , asthma, multiple chemical sensitivity (mcs), or other health problems, you may currently understand this. If not, then I want you to know that this is a severe problem. And it is one that many builders nonetheless do not address (standard building supplies are, nicely, substandard when it comes to health).
Part of the problem is what we don't know. And yes, it can hurt us! From the arsenic in the treated wood that is used to build our decks, to the high levels of formaldehyde (a recognized carcinogen) in OSB board, kitchen and bath cabinets, insulation,and furniture, to the myriads of chemical substances found in traditional carpeting (with some research showing the death of mice who breathe them), we live daily in a toxic soup that has the capacity to render us quite ill, or at the very least, unwell.
Once we turn out to be conscious of the effects of unsafe building supplies, we will demand change. The good news is, the options for non-toxic living are growing rapidly. When we know and then insist on safer products, they will turn out to be more readily accessible and expenses will decrease. Much more and much more builders will jump on the bandwagon when they see that the trend is green home building and we hold the wallets!
Reduced CONSUMPTION
Reduced consumption has long been emphasized as part of the green movement. You might hear of the plea to buy supplies locally (saving on transportation costs and decreasing pollution), utilizing recycled or reclaimed building materials, or even building a strawbale home or a rammed earth dwelling. While these are all possibilities, green building does not mean that you need to embrace concepts that are foreign to you.
It is quite feasible for you to choose a standard building plan, and then merely select numerous supplies and systems to "green" that specific plan.
Spend a bit of your time researching the green options available for building and remodeling. Don't dismiss the concept because you believe it will only be much more expensive. Many green ideas may really save you a significant amount of money in month to month out-of-pocket expenses for energy usage. And of course, it's very hard to place a cost tag on your family's health and nicely-becoming!
