All of a sudden everyone is waking up to the fact that carbon emissions and our American lifestyle in general are destroying the planet and making us, with each passing day, more energy dependent on Venezuelan or Middle Eastern oil. So when we undertake a general or partial interior remodeling, what should we keep in mind? And will "going green" help us to be healthier as well?
LEED for Homes as well as the Florida Green Building Coalition both deal with these issues through a point system for certifying green houses. What can we learn from these two systems and apply them to interior remodelings?
FOUR MOST IMPORTANT ITEMS
For my money there are four things which are going to do more to make an interior remodeling energy efficient:
1. A very high energy efficient rating (SEER) for the air-conditioning system
2. Adding windows whenever possible to provide as many rooms as possible with cross-ventilation
3. Ceiling fans
4. Overhangs over all the windows or planting shade trees outside the windows.
Then, after these 4 points, there are many which are also very important.
NO AIR-HANDLER OR DUCTS IN NON-CONDITIONED SPACE
No air-handler or ducts in non-conditioned spaces such as attics or garages. This is important both for health reasons and energy efficiency. If ducts are placed in non-conditioned spaces, the ducts, which have small leaks, will lose cool air through these small openings. The air handler, if put in this kind of space will take in hotter air and have to work harder than if it were in an air-conditioned space.
Also, using mastic compound to seal all ductwork connections provides a seal that is much less prone to failure than tape.
EFFICIENT WINDOWS
Tinted windows with a high-efficiency rating are also an important element in maintaining a comfortable temperature within interior spaces.
ECO-FRIENDLY INSULATION
Insulation in the attic is another very important element in cooling the interior environment. All remodelings should consider providing new eco-friendly insulation in the attic of any air-conditioned spaces. Four types are as follows:
• Recycled cellulose insulation
• Recycled cotton denim insulation
• Recycled mineral wool insulation
• Recycled perlite composite board
SOLAR WATER HEATING SYSTEM
A large portion of a home's energy use is dedicated to water heating. If an interior remodeling is going to include areas which use plumbing, a solar water heater should be considered. Fifty to seventy percent of an average household's hot water needs can be provided at low cost with a modestly sized solar water heating.
LOW FLOW SHOWERHEADS
Showerheads and faucets be rated at a maximum flow rate of 2.5 gallons per minute at 80 psi water pressure. There are available fixtures on the market today that exceed these standards. Laminar flow controls may also be used that deliver a precise volume of water at faucets, showerheads, and hose outlets. Unlike conventional water-saving fixtures that deliver varying flow rates in response
to varying line pressure, fixtures equipped with laminar flow controls deliver a constant rate.
NO GARBAGE DISPOSAL
If there is a kitchen remodeling in the project, avoiding the installation of a garbage disposal will make the remodeling greener. Garbage disposals are notorious water wasters.
DUAL FLUSH OR LOW FLOW TOILETS
Thirty to forty percent of indoor water use in a home is due to toilet use. Use toilets which exceed a flow rate of 1.6 gallons/flush. WaterSense-labeled products are 20% more efficient that other toilets.
ENERGY-EFFICIENT OVEN/RANGE
Tests on ovens demonstrate that only 6% of the energy output of a typical oven is actually absorbed by the food. Most of the heat goes into the metal and surrounding air space. With additional insulation and tighter door gaskets and hinges, new ovens save energy.
• Gas ovens with new electronic pilotless ignition instead of a pilot light will be 30% more efficient than one with a pilot light. A gas appliance uses much less energy than an electric one.
Because of this a gas appliance costs about half to operate.
• A self-cleaning oven has more insulation and therefore is cheaper to operate.
• For electric cooktops there are several choices: Solid disk elements and radiant elements under glass take longer to heat up and use more electricity. More efficient than conventional electric coil elements, induction elements require that you use only iron or steel pots and pans.
Aluminum cookware will not work with induction elements.
• The range hood should ventilate to the outside and not simply re-circulate. This is for health reasons and not energy reason.
CERTIFIED SUSTAINABLE LUMBER
Certified sustainable lumber is obtained from a sustainably managed forest. The two best know certifying organizations: the Forest Stewardship Council and Sustainable Forestry Initiative.
RECYCLED CONTENT DRYWALL
If there is a local source for recycled drywall, use of this product will make the remodeling greener.
ECO-FRIENDLY FLOORING
Using eco-friendly flooring for the remodeling goes a long way to a "green" status:
• Bamboo flooring.
• Cork flooring.
• Natural linoleum.
• Floor tiles made from recycled glass or other 100% recycled content material.
• Reuse of salvaged wood.
• Domestically produced hardwood materials from sustainably managed forests.
• Concrete (stamped, stained, etc.)
• Recycled content carpet/carpet pad and rugs.
• Natural content carpet/carpet pad and rugs: Carpets/rugs must be composed of 100% natural materials such as wool, jute, and hemp.
CONCRETE WITH FLY ASH
Concrete with 18% of the total cement composed of fly ash or blast furnace slag can be used where concrete is used except in structural elements.
LOCALLY PRODUCED MATERIALS
Materials that are produced in the local area use much less energy to transport than materials that are produced on the other side of the world and have to be flown, trucked, or shipped to the job.
ENERGY STAR ADVANCED LIGHTING PACKAGE
Energy Star ceiling fans, indoor lighting fixtures and bulbs can save energy in the long run. Use these whenever possible.
GREYWATER USE
Water use can be conserved by reusing domestic wastewater from any source except toilets and the kitchen sink-this includes laundry, shower/bath, faucets, and dishwasher. It can also include air conditioner condensate. Reusing greywater for landscape irrigation presents an exciting opportunity for water conservation. Most water consumption in a Southern home is for irrigation of landscaping. Although this can be done theoretically, some building departments have not adopted codes which allow this system to be installed.
AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSATE REUSE
Air conditioner condensate can also be considered a source of greywater. Annual air conditioner condensate volume can average between 1500 and 3500 gallons. Inexpensive purification devices are available that make the water useable for pool refilling, irrigation, or make-up water for water-cooled air conditioning units.
RAINWATER HARVESTING
A system for harvesting rainwater can be installed and the water can be used for toilet flushing.
CENTRAL DEHUMIDIFICATION SYSTEM
In addition to controlling humidity and comfort, most central dehumidification equipment also permits the intake of fresh, outside air, thereby improving ventilation in the home.
SOURCE CONTROL
• Use zero and low-Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) paints, stains, and finishes
• Use low-VOC sealants and adhesives.
• Use no exposed urea-formaldehyde particleboard, use phenol-formaldehyde resin
• Minimize carpet use
A remodeling that covers all these areas is going to great lengths to do its part in saving energy for the homeowner and the country, and providing a healthy environment for the inhabitants of the house.
Maria Luisa Castellanos, R.A., LEED AP (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional) is a registered architect, principal of United Architects, Inc., and has been practicing in Florida for over 20 years. For more information or for a free initial consultation if you now own the property you want to improve, go to http://www.architectsinmiami.com. For more free articles on good architectural design and building for long term profit in South Florida or to see photos of her work, go to http://www.unitedarchitectsinc.com. Copyright, Maria Luisa Castellanos, 2009.
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