CBIA Business Builder – March 2008
Excerpted from original article published in CBIA Business Builder newsletter, March 2008 issue
GREEN NEWS –What Does Green Mean to Each of Us? The Seven Key Concepts of Building Green
by Kathy Guyitt, CAPS
2008 CBIA Remodelers Council Chair
Energy Efficiency – Building Envelope/Mechanical Equipment/Appliances & Lighting
Water Efficiency – Native Drought Tolerant Landscape/Low Flow Fixtures/Water Saving Appliances
Passive Design – Cross Ventilation/Overhangs & Porches/Solar Lighting/Orientation
Construction Process – Recycle Construction Waste/Minimize Runoff
Indoor Environmental Quality – Air/Lighting/Thermal Comfort/Moisture Control
Site and Landscape – Native Landscape/Protect Vegetation & Create Habitat/Provide Erosion & Sedimentation Control/Reduce Pesticide Use & Water Consumption
Materials – Durable (with low maintenance requirements)/Environmentally Friendly (Recycled, Renewable, Sustainable)/Contains No or Low VOCs
Did you know nearly all the toxins covered by the US environmental regulations are found in highest concentration INDOORS? Here are some definitions to help you understand what that means:
VOCs: Volatile Organic Compound – any of various organic chemical compounds (such as formaldehyde or gasoline) that evaporate quickly especially from solvents, adhesives, fuels, or industrial wastes and that contribute to photochemical smog in the atmosphere. Included are oil based paint, finishes and flooring materials.
Offgasing: Release of gasses or vapors into the air.
MERV: Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value as applied to air filtration.
EnergyStar: ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices.
Results are already adding up. Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved enough energy in 2006 alone to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 25 million cars — all while saving $14 billion on their utility bills.
For tons of information on how to go Green, see these important sites!