It’s officially buzz. It’s on the networks, in magazines, maybe on the lips of characters in your favorite sitcom.
So what does it mean exactly, when it comes to building? A green building product is:
- Made from reused, recycled, rapidly renewable, and/or from local sources;
- Recyclable at the end of its use;
- Pollutant-free;
- Energy efficient, water efficient, resource efficient, or durability enhancing;
- Minimizes the environmental impact of the building;
- Meets at least one of the above criteria, while being neutral in the other categories.
Now we can go buy a bunch of them. Then voila! We'll all have green homes, right? Not necessarily. Putting solar panels, for example, on a leaky, inefficient home does not make it green--nor does it make any sense. A green home should have all of these characteristics:
- The use of energy in the home is minimized through proper design, appropriate insulation levels and methods, properly sized HVAC, and efficient lighting design.
- Water use is minimized through intelligent plumbing and appliance selection, as well as outside water management techniques, such as rainwater collection and xeriscaping.
- Home materials are minimized, and the material that is used comes from local sources. Also, recycled materials are used when possible.
- It is durable, and doesn’t require excessive maintenance.
- It offers a healthy environment.
- It makes a modest environmental footprint. In other words, McMansions are contrary to the underlying principle of green building. If the Brady Bunch got by in a three-bedroom house with a den, can’t a four-person family? I mean, most of us don’t even have an Alice….
When it comes to green, there’s room for interpretation. That’s why an independent standard is invaluable. If you’re building a home, consider the benefit of meeting the requirements of a major green building program.
Green building can certainly cost more—but then again, it doesn't have to. A smart green building plan can immediately cut your utility costs.