Energy Production and Policy Fall

 What is Green Building?

 Why is Green Building Important?
 Three aspects of new project planning
 Obstacles
 Support for Green Building?
 EPA definition: “Green or sustainable
building is the practice of creating
healthier and more resource-efficient
models of construction, renovation,
operation, maintenance, and demolition.”
 More than just installing solar panels on
your roof
 8000lbs of waste are typically thrown into a
landfill during the construction of a 2000sqft
home
 The buildings in the US consume more than
twice as much energy as all the cars in the US
 Buildings account for 68% of total electricity
consumption in the US
 Buildings use 80% of total drinking water
consumption in the US
 Indoor levels of pollution are commonly 2 to 5
times higher than outdoor pollution levels
Environmental benefits of green building:
Enhance and protect biodiversity and ecosystems
Improve air and water quality
Reduce waste streams
Conserve and restore natural resources

Economic benefits of green building:

Reduce operating costs
Improve occupant productivity
Enhance asset value and profits
Optimize life-cycle economic performance

Social benefits of green building:

Enhance occupant health and comfort
Improve indoor air quality
Minimize strain on local utility infrastructure
Improve overall quality of life
 Construction – Reduce the amount of
waste generated at a construction site
 Design – Building design details will help
to reduce construction materials, and
energy/water requirements when
completed
 Material Selection – Careful selection of
construction materials will leave less of
an environmental impact
 Constructionwaste accounts for 10 to as much
as 30% of municipal waste stream
 Goal: Reduce / Reuse / Recycle
• Building design based on standard sizes of materials
• Buy higher quality to reduce rejects
• Recycle (use scraps)
• Train crew
• Renovate an existing building
 Once on the job site there are numerous things that workers and
managers can do to control and better dispose of waste.
 Sort waste as it is created into things that can be recycled, things to be
reused, and things to be thrown away.
 Recycled items can be comingled together or separated into different
types, such as wood, cardboard, metal, classified plastics, concrete,
etc. It’s obviously more environmentally friendly to recycle specific
materials separately rather than all materials together, but it can also be
more cost effective to do so. This reduces contamination of the materials,
which lessons their value, and eliminates the recyclers sorting cost.
 During demolition or remodeling projects attempt to salvage materials,
especially doors and windows since they are not recyclable, to be used
during construction. If an item can’t be used on your current project, it
can be saved for future use, sold to someone that can use it, or even
donated. Organizations that build for the disadvantaged greatly
appreciate supplies and donations can be tax deductible!
 Don’t throw away materials at the end of a project just because there isn’t
enough left to complete another project.
 Instead of throwing wood and metal scraps away, keep them at cutting and
fabricating locations to be used as test pieces.
 Chip branches and trees that are cleared from a project and use as
landscaping mulch.
 Excess insulation can be used within interior wall cavities or above attics,
if not used on another job, rather than being discarded.
 Limit the use of adhesives, finishes, laminates, and other protective
coatings because they limit the reusability and recyclability of materials
at the end of their useful lives. Unfortunately super glue doesn’t salvage
very well.
 Avoid using temporary support systems when possible since they usually
are discarded as waste at the end of a project.
Goal: To design the building so that it requires
less energy/water and is healthier for
inhabitants when it is complete and in use
• Air ducts for an efficient and healthy air flow
• Insulation
• Windows designed for maximum daylight
• Passive Solar Control
• Solar Cells
• Heat Exchanger for climate control system
• Location
 Orientation
 Glazing
 Thermal mass
 Insulation
 Natural ventilation
 Zoning
Goal: Choose materials that have low
environmental costs and do not contribute to
indoor air pollution
• Engineered Lumber (recycled and reclaimed
material)
• Doors and Windows (energy and placement)
• Floor Coverings (recycled with no off-gassing)
• Roof Materials (Reflective and light)
• Energy Efficient Appliances
 93% of consumers worry about their
home’s environmental performance.
However, only 18% are willing to pay
more to reduce the impact.
 There are higher initial costs for Green
Building
 Customers are concerned they would be
sacrificing comfort
 LEED (Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design)
• Green Building Rating System
• Voluntary
 City Programs
• Create funds and incentives to encourage green
building
• Austin, Seattle, Berkeley, Portland, San Jose, Arlington
 Internet Sites offer tons of guidance
CONCLUSION
THANK
YOU