Green construction has to be neither cost prohibitive or complicated, according to experts at the Pacific Coast Builders Conference. According to these experts, building homes that are green and energy efficient does not have to be rocket science at all, but rather you can build a very efficient home at a very low cost. The following is a collection of building practices that are attainable and sustainable that can help you make your building projects greener without requiring a lot of money.
Energy Efficiency –
In most green building certification programs, energy efficiency plays a very large role. Consumers want homes that offer reduced costs of operation. Begin by building the home to require less air conditioning in the first place, and make sure that the air conditioning unit is charged properly otherwise the system’s SEER may drop out. When installing insulation, make sure to use the thermal bypass checklist by Energy Star, which shows common insulation installation mistakes and how they can be avoided. The most cost effective features for saving energy tend to vary based on the climate for your local, for example tankless water heaters are excellent for climates like San Diego where you do not need much heat or air conditioning.
Durability –
Install backer board that is resistant to moisture, such as DensShield Tile Backer by Georgia Pacific, because standard gypsum board is an excellent breeding ground for mold, which needs to be avoided. Concentrating on the initial design is the best way to provide the biggest bang for the amount of money that you are spending. Another thing worth implementing is to avoid roof pitches that intersect with vertical wall planes, because this can cause problems relating to moisture management. Remember the basics when it comes to durability, most of all. One tip that was recommended was to avoid reverse shingling house wrap, which can cause enormous problems in the long run.
Water Efficiency –
Aim to install high efficiency fixtures and appliances, as high efficiency dishwashers can use only 5 to 7 gallons of water per load rather than 12 gallons for example. Other high efficiency fixtures are also useful, such as toilets, showers, washing machines and faucets, many of which can provide savings of up to 50%. You should also work to install water conserving landscaping, avoiding invasive species and only using low flow irrigation systems, drip and bubbler systems along with smart irrigation controllers for the best results.
Resource Conservation –
You should avoid using plants in your landscaping that require a lot of shearing, because green waste like this can take up a lot of space in local landfills. Instead, include a built in recycling center so that recycling can be made easier for homeowners.
There are many building practices that can create greener homes without requiring much more money in the process.
Photo Credits: 1
Originally posted 2009-02-04 05:50:39. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
Quick and Easy Steps to Green Remodeling For a lot of home remodelers, the idea of going green can be absolutely overwhelming. Luckily, there is a wealth of information out there, and just because you are not already implementing these ideas, that does not mean you're too far behind to make some leeway. According to leading remodelers...... -
Household Ventilation There is a renewed need for mechanical filtration in our homes, as the technology that has become part of the house helps to work more efficiently, leading to a need for maintain air quality in much tighter quarters. This need is very significant, as the American Lung Association has compiled...... -
Insulated Vinyl Siding's Green Performance Documented in New Study Recent studies that have been sponsored on the behalf of NYSERDA, insulated vinyl siding has demonstrated that it contributes to energy consumption savings as well as savings in CO2 emissions and energy costs, which means that insulated vinyl siding is capable of outperforming fiber cement when these environmental measures and...... -
Taking DIY Disasters into Your Own Hands Watching home improvement television may inspire you to tackle your own home renovation projects, but just as quickly as you found the inspiration to get started, you will find yourself getting over your head. Every year, millions of Americans are tackling their own home remodeling projects, both large and small....... -
Ten Tips Toward a More Eco Friendly Home Tip 1 - Turn the lights off any time that they are not needed, even if you are just moving from room to room in the course of your day. According to Energy Star, as much as 20 percent of a home's overall energy use comes from its lighting. Using......