|
Green buildings are healthier, more environmentally sound and
more economical.
Economic and Health Benefits:
Lower operating costs via reduced energy and water utility
bills.
Reduced maintenance and replacement costs due to greater
durability of materials.
Improved indoor air quality through the use of
non-toxic materials.
Reduced risk of childhood asthma and other respiratory diseases.
Preservation of natural habitats, watersheds, and ecosystems,
protection of air and water quality, reduction in greenhouse gas
emissions and solid waste.
Improved health and performance: students achieve 20% better
performance in green schools, patients are discharged an average
of 2.5 days earlier in green hospitals.
The following is a list of materials or measures to promote
Building Green
Building Orientation
Orient along east-west axis to maximize passive solar effects.
Place windows advantageously to enable cooling by natural
ventilation while also admitting daylight and enabling
wintertime passive solar heating.
Building Frame
Weather stripping is a cost-effective means of reducing heating
and cooling costs.
Entry doors with the ENERGY STAR® label.
Use a more sustainable framing material such as OSB, oriented
strand board.
Use low-e dual paned windows for their superior energy
performance or look for the ENERGY STAR label
Interior
Entry doors with ENERGY STAR label. Select cabinets made from
particleboard/MDF with low or no formaldehyde content.
Flooring
Consider renewable resources for floor coverings that are
harvested and produced locally, such as maple. Palm wood flooring comes from plantation grown
trees and cork is also a renewable floor covering.
Outdoor Decks
Use composite lumber made of 100% recycled plastic or
plastic/wood composite for decking material.
Use ACQ treated lumber for landscaping and supports for decking.
| 
