What is Green Building?8870546
The word green might bring many images to your mind. You might believe of green with envy, greenbacks, a greenhorn, Geico lizard green or how could we neglect Kermit the Frog's well-known tune: It Ain't Easy Bein' Green?
So what is the meaning of green as it relates to the residential building industry?
Because "green" is so a lot in the news lately, it would be ideal to come up with a typical definition.
Green building can mean various things to various individuals, but three themes seem to emerge from the vast quantity of information written on this topic:
1. Energy Efficiency
2. Non-toxic materials
3. Decreased consumption (fuel and resource conservation)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Let's start with energy efficiency. Are you mortified by the skyrocketing gas costs? Are you shocked by the price tag on your month-to-month electric/energy bills? In my region of the state, the power company attempted a 43% price increase in the past year. Costs continue to escalate, and the price of living rises yearly - does your income maintain up with these price increases?
If you look closely at your monthly budget, most most likely a hefty portion of your outlay goes for fuel, electrical energy, and water consumption. Slashing these expenses could make a huge distinction in your cash flow.
Even the U.S.government recognizes the significance of energy efficiency. You might have noticed the Energy Star rating on numerous appliances because they meet government requirements for energy conservation. Following the lead of numerous other nations, North America is quickly gaining momentum in the quest for knowledge and demand for safer green living.
NON TOXIC Supplies
Why the fuss over non-toxic building materials? Nicely, if you or your child has allergies , asthma, multiple chemical sensitivity (mcs), or other health problems, you may already understand this. If not, then I want you to know that this is a serious problem. And it is one that many builders nonetheless do not address (standard building materials are, nicely, substandard when it comes to health).
Component of the problem is what we don't know. And yes, it can hurt us! From the arsenic in the treated wood that is used to develop our decks, to the high levels of formaldehyde (a recognized carcinogen) in OSB board, kitchen and bath cabinets, insulation,and furniture, to the myriads of chemicals discovered in conventional carpeting (with some research displaying the death of mice who breathe them), we live daily in a toxic soup that has the capacity to render us quite ill, or at the extremely least, unwell.
Once we turn out to be conscious of the effects of unsafe building materials, we will demand alter. The good news is, the options for non-toxic living are increasing quickly. When we know and then insist on safer products, they will become more readily available and expenses will reduce. Much more and much more builders will jump on the bandwagon when they see that the trend is green home building and we hold the wallets!
Decreased CONSUMPTION
Decreased consumption has lengthy been emphasized as part of the green movement. You may hear of the plea to buy materials locally (saving on transportation costs and decreasing pollution), using recycled or reclaimed building supplies, or even building a strawbale home or a rammed earth dwelling. While these are all possibilities, green building does not mean that you need to embrace concepts that are foreign to you.
It is quite feasible for you to choose a standard building plan, and then simply select various supplies and systems to "green" that particular plan.
Spend a bit of your time researching the green options accessible for building and remodeling. Do not dismiss the concept because you believe it will only be more expensive. Many green ideas might really save you a significant amount of money in month to month out-of-pocket expenses for energy usage. And of course, it's very hard to place a price tag on your family's health and nicely-becoming!
