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“Going green” has become a common goal in every industry – particularly construction. In its simplist form, green building is sustainable building – that is, the construction of structures that meet the needs of today without jeopardizing the needs of tomorrow.
Green building incorporates elements of conservation and efficiency into each step of the construction process. While the building industry continues to work toward agreed-upon standards for green techniques and products, we should all deepen our understanding of several aspects of environmentally sound practices:
Every structure affects its surroundings, whether in the heart of an urban area or in a remote patch of woodland. A green building project takes this relationship into consideration from its first steps in planning. Minimizing the disruption of the surrounding area and preserving existing ecosystems are important priorities of green planning and building.
A green builder considers the orientation of a structure on a property and will use natural shading and sunlight. In the short term, these factors will have an impact on the comfort of a building’s residents. In the longer term, these decisions will reduce the amount of resources needed for a structure’s lighting, heating and cooling.
Green building practices, like using more efficient house wrap, insulation and water-conserving appliances, increase energy and water efficiency. As a result, a home will consume fewer resources through its lifespan. In addition, the renewable, recycled and other building products used in green home construction reduce the consumption of natural resources.
Beyond their reduced environmental impact, green buildings offer improved comfort and safety, especially where indoor air quality is concerned. Green structures are well ventilated to allow for proper air exchange. Low-emitting products like low- or no-VOC paints, caulks and adhesives reduce health risks from off-gassing. In addition, green building practices reduce the opportunity for moisture intrusion, so there are fewer issues with mold. Efficient HVAC systems, windows, and floor plans also mean that heating and cooling is better distributed throughout the home, resulting in more comfortable indoor environments.
The technologies and practices required to build a green home typically result in a lower operating costs. Energy-efficient appliances, lighting systems and HVAC equipment lead to lower electricity bills. Water-saving faucets, showers and toilets conserve an important natural resource – and lower monthly water bills. Employing technologies such as solar panels for electricity or geothermal systems for heat can reduce dependence on public utilities.
This is a subject open to considerable debate. There are many measures of “green-ness” that use varying criteria. Still, most would agree that a green product should have at least one of the following characteristics:
Several national building product certification programs have emerged that offer some guidance for manufacturers, dealers and consumers. These certifications provide one way to affirm that a product’s environmental claims are authentic.
Certification programs vary by scope and by market, and can certify one or several environmental measurements, including indoor air quality, recycled content, responsible forestry, water conservation and more.
Certification offers a standard by which products can be compared, reinforces a manufacturer’s commitment to environmental practices, and provides a differentiation for a certified product from its competition.
Some nationally recognized certification programs include:
The Greenguard Certification Program, which certifies low-emitting interior products and building materials products, and provides quarterly air quality performance monitoring to ensure that standards are continually met;
Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), which certifies products for single -ttribute claims such as material content and indoor air quality, as well as certifying Environmentally Preferable Products (EPP). EPP certification recognizes products that have less impact on the environment;
The Green Seal, which is awarded to products based on standards that identify the most environmentally preferable products currently available in each product category;
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), one of the most widely recognized national certification for buildings. LEED was established by The US Green Building Council (USGBC) to provide a national standard for green buildings.
NAHB - The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), one of the largest advocates for homebuilders and homeowners in the United States, unveiled the National Green Building Standard in 2008. The standard is designed to be a guide for the individual builder, builder associations, residential remodelers, multifamily builders and developers, and requires builders to include features in seven categories of sustainability: energy, water and resource efficiency; lot and site development; indoor environmental quality and homeowner education.
Perhaps the most important piece of advice to heed as you consider marketing your business or product’s green qualities is this: Get started. The green building trend is gaining momentum, and shows no sign of slowing. Don’t allow personal bias or hype about the topic of green building to keep you from recognizing — and taking advantage of — the trend toward environmental awareness and conservation in the building market.
Each year, hundreds of manufacturers, distributors, dealers and builders begin to promote the environmental aspects of their products and services. Green practices like Energy Star-rated appliances are already a widely-recognized industry standard, and others – like the NAHB’s National Green Building Standard – are poised to make an even bigger impact. Identifying your own ‘level of green,’ no matter how modest, is an important first step toward catching a wave that is only going to get bigger. Will Rogers was right: “Even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.”