Most folks would say there are two components that produce green construction . The two items people will agree upon that produce a home “green construction” are the design and process and the finishing or “features” of the home.
The thing is, people don’t know is that although these homes are green based on conventional building methods the fact remains that most of these homes could be greener than they are.
Here is what most people consider is green.
FSC (Forest Steward Certified) Lumber – This is timber that is provided from responsibly managed forests. Environmentally responsible paints Energy efficient appliances (Energy Star Rated) Energy efficient heating and air with programmable thermostats (Energy Star Rated) Tankless water heaters 2 x 6 exterior walls which allow for more insulation installation. Re-use of rain and gray water. Low flow or dual flush toilets Solar power Renewable resources such as bamboo flooring, blinds Solar tubes Awnings to protect windows and entries from extreme sun exposure Energy efficient windows and doors.
Below are the steps that a building contractor and an architect can make the home greener.
The actual design of the home to significantly minimize the amount of waste of materials. The design of the home to utilize space for energy efficiency. Positioning of the house on the property on an east/west axis. Materials used i.e. renewable, green, recycled, improve energy efficiency. Methods of construction that will significantly reduce the impact of the land. Methods of building to minimize waste of resources such as power, gas, water, material, and man power. Methods used to reduce waste ending up in landfills such as giving unused building materials to Habitat For Humanity stores, recycling metal and plastic and recycling wood to mulch operations or bio energy plants.
Yes these methods are green, there is no denying this fact. However, there are two important areas that are being unnoticed. The framing and the insulation are two areas that are being totally unnoticed. The framing and insulation are the two areas that are responsible for up to 80% of the homes heat loss.
There is a simple solution to this big flaw. The first step would be to replace wood framing with steel framing. Next you would replace cavity stud and blown insulation with a radian barrier sheathing. Finally, with a continuous ridged exterior insulation you are creating an air tight envelope around the home to prevent air infiltration. By combining these three things together you are creating a truly green construction home that saves as much as 60% on utility bills.
Some big claims were made in this article check out our Eco Construction Resources to see the data that backs up our claims of creating the ultimate in Eco Home Design.
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