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Green Buildings
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A "Green" Building is a high performing, energy, water and resource efficient building. |
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Websites with information on green buildings.
Websites with some green building products.
A green building has been purposefully designed to reduce both the direct and indirect environmental consequences associated with its construction, occupancy, operation, maintenance and eventual decommissioning. Constructing a green building requires the cooperation of everyone involved in the design and building process. From the design phase, through site selection to occupancy it is important that everyone considers the best possible plan to create an "environmentally friendly" building.
A Green Building incorporates the following design considerations:
The site should be environmentally preferable. Wherever a facility or building is constructed, it is important to consider mass transit availability. By positioning the development near public transportation, it will limit the environmental impacts associated with daily commuters. Perhaps the most ideal site for a Green Building would be a "brownfield". A brownfield is an abandoned, idled, or underused industrial and commercial sites where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination. Using brownfields is ideal because it limits the problems associated with sprawl. Reviving these sites helps to revive an area and help draw other businesses.
The building should conserve water/energy. Steps should be taken to limit the amount of resources required to operate a building. Ideas such as installing a self-supporting filtration unit will limit the amount of water that must be sent to off-site facilities for treatment. For energy, installing photovoltaic panels will limit the amount of energy the building needs from the power grid. Additionally, organizations like ENERGY STAR and GREEN SEAL
offer product advise for energy conservation. Please consult the Home P2 page and click on -Energy Conservation and Water Conservation for additional information on these subjects.
Environmentally preferable or recycled construction materials should be used. Using recycled materials for construction limits the amount of resources that must be disturbed. For example, consider using decking materials made from recycled plastics and reclaimed wood instead of traditional wood. This type of material is both attractive and durable and has less of an impact on the environment than virgin materials. Using materials that are obtained or manufactured locally reduces the energy consumed in shipping and transporting of these materials.
Indoor air quality should be considered. Limit the amount of materials in the building that contain Volatile Organic Compounds(VOCs). After construction, adequate ventilation must be provided to protect occupants from the risks of VOC and radon after the building is occupied. Radon is a colorless, radioactive, inert gas formed from the disintegration of radium that sometimes enters homes and buildings. Please consult Radon and Indoor Air Quality for more information on the dangers from these and other indoor air pollutants. Please consult the Home P2 page and click on -Indoor Plants for information on how plants can improve indoor air quality.
Non-toxic materials should be used throughout the design and construction processes. Paints, paint strippers, glues, adhesives and wood preservatives often contain high levels of solvents and VOCs. Consider finding alternatives to these products. There are many products available that have low- or no-VOC content. Using these products will limit the adverse health effects associated with these harmful compounds.
Landscaping should be beneficial. Beneficial landscaping uses native plants that require little or no pesticides, irrigation, etc. to maintain. It is also used to shade buildings, which reduces the amount of energy needed to cool them. Also, beneficial landscaping can reduce the amount of runoff generated at a site. Please consult Garden P2 - Environmentally Friendly Landscaping and Gardening for more information on benneficial landscaping.
Building a green building provides environmental
benefits now and into the future by reducing the need for resources and
energy and blazing a path toward sustainability. The overall design utilizes
fewer of the limited resources available on Earth. There are also economic
benefits involved with constructing a green building. While the initial
costs vary, the overall savings from conserving resources such as water
and energy are quite significant. Additionally, with the call for more
environmentally preferable products, creating an environmentally preferable
building is a highly marketable idea. Buildings that demonstrate excellence
in energy conservation may qualify for the ENERGY
STAR building label, which recognizes the environmental qualities
of the building. Also, the LEED
Green Building Rating
System(TM) recognizes buildings that demonstrate an overall excellence
in environmental qualities. Finally, according to the American College
of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the average American spends more
than 90% of their time indoors. Healthy indoor environments can increase
employee productivity according to an increasing number of case studies.
According to a study by the Rocky Mountain
Institute,
productivity gains of six to sixteen percent, including decreased absenteeism
and improved quality of work, have been reported from energy-efficient
design.
Websites with Information on Green Buildings.
American
Water Works Waterwiser Clearinghouse - This American Water Works Association (AWWA) clearinghouse
on water conservation and efficiency information has a listing of the
most current, applicable water conservation and efficiency materials available.
EPA Mid-Atlantic Brownfields Homepage - Brownfield sites mean real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network - The Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN) website provides a comprehensive resource for DOE's energy efficiency and renewable energy information, plus access to more than 600 links and 80,000 documents.
ENERGY STAR The Environmental Protection Agency website provides indepth information regarding the programs as well as products and building that have received the ENERGY STAR label.
EPA - Mid Atlantic Region 3 Environmental Science Center Green Features - Provides information on the EPA Environmental Science Center which incorporates many environmental features as part of the Agency's overall commitment to protect human health and the environment. The state -of-the-art 140,000-square foot facility features green building technologies, including energy-saving lighting, an environmentally-friendly climate control system, natural landscaping, and the use of green building materials.
EPA Office of Water Water Efficiency Program - This web site provides an overview of EPA's Water Efficiency Program which is primarily concerned with municipal water use. Efficient water use helps to reduce the need for costly water supply and wastewater treatment facilities, helps maintain stream flows and healthy aquatic habitats, and reduces the energy used to pump, heat and treat water.
EPA Research Triangle Park New Campus Homepage
- EPA has created a facility which embodies
its environmental ethics, while balancing out issues related to the mission
of the Agency and the global environment. From the very start, protecting
the environment has been a top priority for EPA's new campus. Today, the
project is widely recognized as a model of sustainable building. Link
for more information about
the New EPA Campus in Research Triangle Park. Link for more information
on EPA's approach to design
and construction, specifications and sustainable buildings, features
and staff involvement.
Green Building Challenge 1998 - A conference retrospective on building performance
assessments from 14 countries, best practice green buildings and papers
on related technical and non technical issues from all over the world.
Green
Seal - Green Seal is the independent,
nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the environment by promoting
the manufacture and sale of environmentally responsible consumer products.
It sets environmental standards and awards a "Green Seal of Approval"
to products that cause less harm to the environment than other similar
products.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design - The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
green building rating system webpage contains information on the rating
and certification of green building, as well as training in green building
design.
Maryland's
Environmental Design Program - Encourages the design and construction
of green buildings, and the development of sites, in a manner that enhances
the efficient use of materials and natural resources, protects ecosystems,
habitats and hydrology, and promotes sustainable communities.
Sustainable
Buildings Technical Manual
- The Sustainable Building Manual lays out clear guidelines and practices
for the construction industry. While the decision processes and suggested
practices apply to buildings of all sizes, the material is focused on
larger commercial and institutional projects.
Sustainable Sources - Provides a green building professionals directory, listing
of green real estate, sustainable sources bookstore and information on
green building solutions.
US Green
Building Council - The US
Green Building Council (USGBC) is a coalition of leaders from across the
building industry who are working to promote buildings that are environmentally
responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work.
Whole
Building Design Guide - The
Whole Building Design Guide is a complete Internet resource to a wide
range of building-related design guidance, criteria and technology.
Websites for Green Building Products.
Please note: Links to Web sites outside the EPA Web site are for the convenience of the user. The Standards of Ethical Conduct do not permit the EPA to endorse any private sector Web site, product, or service. EPA does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at this location.
EZFLO Automatic Faucet Control -This website provides information on the water saving
capabilities of a faucet with an automatic control. The EZFlo water control
valve is a way of turning on the water by placing a hand (or other objects
needing water) under the faucet. Once the temperature control is set you
never having to touch the water flow handles. This type of faucet eliminates
water waste by shutting off whenever the consumer is not actually using
the water.
Flex-tuft - The Flexco website provides
information on recycled flooring products such as a carpet made from recycled
tires called Flex-Tuft. Flex-Tuft is designed to be used for indoor and
outdoor areas because of its anti-slip design.
Habitat
for Humanity RE-Store - Habitat
for Humanity started their RE-Store program, which sells reusable materials
for an extremely reduced price, with the intentions of having them used
to build housing for low-income families.
Trex - Trex is made from waste wood fiber and reclaimed
plastics. Although this type of product is not a replacement for wood
as in a structural capacity, this product can typically be used for decking
and paths. A great benefit of using this product is that it is not made
with any chemicals and it does not require and sealants or pest control
chemicals or additives.
Permeable Pavers - alternatives to traditional
impervious paving materials. This type of surface provides a way to reduce
the amount of runoff that is generated from paths, patios and parking
areas. E.P.
Henry Eco-Paver
Waterless
Urinals - TheWaterless Co.
has created a "Waterless No Flush(TM) Urinal" that uses a unique
method for disposing of urine that does not require any water. Using their
patented EcoTrapÒ system, urine
flows through a floating layer of BlueSealÒ liquid,
which traps any potential odors. From there, the urine proceeds down the
normal drain. The website states this fixture can save 45,000 gallons
of water a year as well as conserve energy because it does not require
any mechanical flushing.