Author: Mary Fifita

In most US households, air conditioning and heating systems are the biggest users of energy, so once we have maximized our envelope efficiency, the next big target is an efficient HVAC system sized correctly to match our great envelope. This will give us the most improvement toward our overall energy reduction goals. The important considerations for heating and cooling equipment are quality of installation, correct sizing of the system and, finally, the efficiency ratings of the equipment, in that order. Before building science looked at and started recognizing system-wide equipment efficiencies, it was standard practice in the industry to oversize…

The priority considerations for all interior finish products are durability and impact on indoor air quality. It is worthwhile to select styles that are aesthetically pleasing and classic. It’s much greener to redecorate with a new coat of paint on the walls than to replace cabinetry, flooring or countertops because they are out of style, yet still functionally sound. For impact on indoor air quality, remember it’s not just the product, but also the materials used to construct and install it, including the binders and adhesives. Hard-surface flooring materials have long life expectancy and are easier to keep clean than…

It would be impossible for us to cover all of the building materials on the market in this article. Now that we have described the main considerations for selecting building materials, it is necessary to put that into context for each type of material. We are going to look at the major building component categories and attempt to provide that guidance for each, starting with the outside walls, foundation and roof and work our way in. Remember to focus on the primary function or performance that you need from the product, as well as any concerns from using it. All…

With regard to resource efficiency, we need products that consume fewer high-value natural resources both initially in their manufacture and over the long term. So, we really like products made from rapidly renewable resources, salvage, recycled or waste materials, or that have been otherwise repurposed from existing, not virgin, resources. Or products that serve more than one purpose, like concrete foundations as finished floors, so additional flooring products are not required. And products that are reusable or recyclable at the end of their lives, saving further depletion of our natural resources in the future. Materials that have been reused from…

There are complete books on the market that give detailed descriptions of the vast array of building materials available. As soon as a book is published, though, it is out of date, not only due to the continued invention of new products and innovations in existing ones, but also due to the results of continued research into just how green all of these products are. Additionally, not all products are available, or even appropriate for use, in every market. Your best resource for building materials is through a reputable green architect, homebuilder or building supply outlet that specializes in these…

When you think about design, there are three aspects of a green home that you should remember. In this chapter, we will look at those in more detail and introduce the third strategy: We are not saying that design is everything, but it is your single best opportunity for natural resource efficiency and saving money. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3. Really! Designing for Your Site In article Analyzing Your Building Site, we looked at site selection in terms of natural amenities, topography and location. Our site might have other characteristics that influence our design. Desirable views (or objectionable…

Anyone can tell you that building a large house will cost more than a small one. Every additional foot of space in every room takes more labor and materials. More space adds more foundation and roof, and more stone, brick or siding. Larger homes take more structural materials to build, more interior finish products (cabinets, flooring, drywall, paint, windows, doors), larger systems for heating and cooling and more furnishings. Large lots require more landscaping. Whatever your budget, the larger the space the larger the percentage of funds will go to base construction cost, leaving less for high-performance features and amenities.…

So, thinking about where you are going to live should include consideration of its future affordability. Do not wait until gas prices are $6.00-$7.00 per gallon, or there are not enough hours in the day to fight traffic to shuttle your active family around in gridlocked traffic, and you see your investment value deteriorating due to these and other changing market conditions. You will be glad to have done your homework and made a better informed decision for your home’s location. Hmm, still can’t decide? Before we go any further in choosing your location, we recommend that you take a…

Green building uses strategies that embrace patterns in nature that create opportunities for cost savings. By incorporating passive strategies to utilize sun paths, capture prevailing breezes and water runoff, we can reduce dependency on mechanical systems. This allows us to design a comfortable home and only use those systems to augment nature as needed. To make the best of what nature has given us, we must analyze the microclimate of our location. How you build depends on where you are building; local climate dictates your best building practices. Climate is not just about region, though – it can be very…

We all know that toxic substances have been introduced to the natural environment through pollution and haphazard waste disposal practices, contaminating our air, water resources and soils. Buildings also contribute to the quality of our health and our environment in a number of ways. Many of you have already become familiar with allergy problems associated with indoor air quality, including pollutants, excess moisture and stale air. But few of us think about the connection between the increasing toxicity of these environments and our long- term health. Toxins The Industrial Revolution enabled mass production and exponentially increased our ability to produce…