Trends In Green Building And Sustainable Construction

"Green Building" is a broad term used to describe the design and construction of sustainable and environmentally conscious buildings.

The driving force behind this is to lower our negative impact on the environment and, at the same time, make the buildings we live and work in safer and healthier for us.

According to the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) statistics,`buildings are responsible for all of the following:

• 39% of US carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions



• 70% of US electricity consumption



• 15 trillion gallons of water consumption

Even though there is still some controversy over the effect of greenhouse gases on the environment, the last two statistics are very important for those of us living in urban areas experiencing continuous growth, especially the American Southwest. With our population expansion, aging water and electrical infrastructure, and shrinking landfills, designing and constructing green and sustainable buildings makes practical sense from a utilitarian perspective.

In fact, USGBC data shows that green buildings use 36% less energy, require fewer raw materials, and divert less waste to our landfills. Furthermore, the "increased" cost of green building is only one or two percent more expensive than a conventional building. This minute difference exemplifies the tangible and long-term benefits of sustainable design, primarily due to the fact that green buildings conserve water and electricity. Thus, while they are more expensive to build, green structures will save money by conserving more energy over time.

Another push towards the green build movement is by local governments. More and more municipalities are adopting the USGBC LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) guidelines for new and renovated buildings. In 2006, at the USGBC Greenbuild expo, the Mayor of Denver challenged other major cities to see who can have the most LEED® certified green buildings. They are accomplishing this by offering tax breaks to private corporations and mandating sustainable construction for city-financed projects.

This has led to a dramatic increase in the number of sustainable projects built by LEED® Certified general contractors. However, this growth has not come without challenges. Currently, the following issues are restricting the number of green projects being built:

• Increased demand for green products has lead to long lead times



• New and unspecified materials are labeled “green” products which are not necessarily certified



• Building officials are struggling with a steep learning curve on how to evaluate these new products and sustainable building techniques

Despite these difficulties, the USGBC, sustainability advocates, and green building construction management firms are meeting to overcome these challenges.

The LEED® process is constantly under review and continues to adopt the latest codes and products. This includes Standard 189, a new minimum standard for green building. The USGBC is currently developing LEED® 3.0 and working with national code writers to include new products and techniques.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has even rolled out a new initiative called "Sustainability 2030," which at its roots, is looking to design all buildings by the year 2030 as carbon neutral. The USGBC has even initiated the Green Advantage Builders Certification for contractors to certify their knowledge in green building techniques.

So what does green building mean at the end of the day? It's simple yet profound: Do the right thing for you, the environment, and the next generation. While most companies are concerned with their bottom line, they ought to embrace the idea that energy and water conservation, green building, and the use of "green materials" in construction stands to increase their savings over time while positioning them as a leader in environmental stewardship.

According to the USGBC, we spend 90% of our time indoors. Due to this fact, scientists have identified an increase in allergies, asthma, absenteeism from school, and even work. There have been numerous studies done on post occupancy productivity levels, which have increased within "green" built facilities. Not only does green adaptation result in less sick days taken, but also shows an increase in productivity, job satisfaction, and in the case of schools, better grades.

So, as we positively affect the environment around us with sustainable green construction, we eventually create better health for ourselves.

About the Author:

Matthew Hancock is a LEED® accredited professional, a Green Advantage Certified Builder and a member of the Dallas chapter of the USGBC. He is a project manager for the Dallas office of Adolfson and Peterson Construction and a proponent of the sustainable and green building movements.

Adolfson & Peterson Construction is a 61-year-old company with offices in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Denver, Colorado; Phoenix, Arizona; and Dallas, Texas (AIA Dallas Chapter 2007 Contractor of the Year). Adolfson & Peterson is currently ranked 72 on the Engineering News-Record Top 400 General Contractors list. Services provided are construction management, design/build, general contracting, LEED® construction capability, Green Advantage® certified personnel, facilities maintenance, Building Information Modeling, and long-term care to various public and private clients.

Interested in learning more about the green building trend? A couple of good resources are the USGBC and the Adolfson & Peterson library of resources on green construction management.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Trends in Green Building and Sustainable Construction

Green Homes Improve The Quality Of Life

Even in a down market, Canadians recognize the long-term, cost-saving value of building a home with sustainable materials. Survey findings show that over the next five years, the green building market in North America is expected to double with up to 20% of us insisting on the use of sustainable materials.

“A green home uses less energy, water and natural resources,” says Todd Blyth at Nudura, the manufacturer of insulated concrete forms. “It creates less waste and is healthier and more comfortable for the occupants. Equally important benefits include lower energy bills, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and less exposure to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins. As a result, the net cost of owning a sustainable home is comparable to cost of a conventional one.”

When talking to your builder, ask for materials and systems that meet established green criteria. Such building materials are identifiable if they're rated by LEED, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design organization. LEED encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices. It provides a third-party certification program, setting an international benchmark for the construction and operation of high performance sustainable buildings.

“Concrete is a good place to begin,” says Blyth, referring to the Nudura building system. “Concrete walls, are far superior in performance than the old wood frame method. A home that begins its construction with efficient, pre-assembled, interlocking concrete blocks will deliver significant, on-going benefits to your lifestyle, to the environment, to your operating costs, and to the overall re-sale value of the house.”

Nudura forms, can be ordered in a variety of sizes and shapes so that home can be built to any design. As importantly, concrete walls eliminate the risk of mold growth and allergens, so common with wood. This concrete system provides a superior sound barrier and is resistant to thermal bridging, where outside cold travels easily through walls to create uncomfortable cold spots, drafts, and mustiness. It is also reported that concrete walls like these are up to nine times stronger, far more fire resistant, sound resistant, and will reduce energy costs up to 70 percent. More information is available online at nudura.com.
- News Canada

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About the Author:

Rakesh Pabbi is Mississauga Real Estate Agent and offers services to Buy, Sell and Rent property, apartments, homes and condos in Mississauga, real estate investing Mississauga, Brampton and GTA area. He provides Customize Home Search, Free Home Evaluation, Buyer Seller Incentives, Mortgage Info & First time buyer advice. Rakesh holds an Engineering degree in Electronics and Tele-Communications from India and have more than 12 yrs of experience in Information Technology field. Real estate is a competitive market where technology now plays an integral role. To be successful, whether in purchasing or selling your home, it is necessary to take full advantage of technological advancements. As an individual with technology background who is capable of utilizing these technical tools, Rakesh Pabbi- Mississauga Real Estate Agent can provides you a greater service. Languages Spoken: English, Hindi, Punjabi.

Rakesh Pabbi, Sales Representative
Homelife Superstars Real Estate Ltd; Brokerage
2565 Steeles Ave E, Unit 11, Brampton ON L6T 4L6

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Green homes improve the quality of life

Teach Me About Green Home Construction

With great enthusiasm you have now decided to build your green home. What are steps required to commence your green home construction? Well, for starters there are some basic questions, which need to be asked when planning green home construction. These basic questions are where do you want to build your dream 'green' home? What are the green resources locally available to you? What are the green designs suitable for your dream house? Who else is interested? Is there a suitable architect available? Can my authorities help me? The solutions to these concerns will clarify the way forward for building your green home.

The designs required for construction of green homes will depend largely on the geographical location you choose. If it were in the mountains, a different type of approach would be required, say to a house in the plains or the deserts or by the seaside.

The green resources available locally will come next in your checklist for your green home construction. Your choice would have to be sensible, even though plentiful organic resources are available. For example, choosing to cut down those trees which are plentiful instead of the rare long living variety which are much more difficult to replace. Using products made from material recycled from city's landfill is an option and could be your contribution to national resource conservation.

The dictates of weather will also decide what sort of green design you would want to incorporate. For example, sloping traditional roofs with runnels would be appropriate in wet weather climate rather than flat topped log cabins, which are more suitable for the mountains. Straw bale and compressed earth blocks are more appropriate for 'green' home constructions in warmer regions.

Involving other people is a positive way to ensure the viability of green home construction. Remember, a community effort is always better than 'going at it alone'. Safety in terms of finances as well as conservation of resources. For instance, common swimming pool, common solar panel grid, common water harvesting projects and common recycling plants can easily be shared by a community wishing to build green homes. Novices cannot indulge in green home construction. Get yourself a good architect with proven track record who knows all the pros and cons of green home construction. It would be his ken to advise you on the best tax benefits from the government, the best designs to incorporate and the best resources to use for best use of your money. That should be your mantra for constructing a green home.

Renewable & Alternative Energy Resources: http://www.alternativeenergybase.com

Find more information regarding green home building, visit GreenHomeGuide.org.

The Style And Comfort Of A Log Cabin

People who enjoy having a rustic-looking dwelling often choose to have a log cabin built for themselves. A handcrafted log cabin is very picturesque and comfortable at the same time, and there are several log cabin designs you can choose from, once you have decided for such a home.

People who enjoy having a rustic-looking dwelling often choose to have a log cabin built for themselves. A handcrafted log cabin is very picturesque and comfortable at the same time, and there are several log cabin designs you can choose from, once you have decided on such a home. Highly popular is the vacation log cabin, set up in a holiday location, where dwellers can relax at their leisure. If you study some log cabin plans, you will surely realize a log cabin is more than a simple home and has the features of an artistic product. Drawing up the log cabin kit for a handcrafted log cabin requires both skills and creativity.

The main reason why the log cabin is so popular nowadays is the combination of elegance and comfort a handcrafted log cabin can provide. Check out some log cabin plans and you will get the basic idea of what a vacation log cabin can offer. The great thing about log cabin designs is that the resulting building will not only have a rustic and picturesque appearance, but will also provide its dwellers with all the comfort they need. Moreover, a log cabin is very easy to build and you can customize your log cabin kit according to your special preferences, to give your handcrafted log cabin an atmosphere your guests will never forget.

By choosing a log cabin, you can really define your style when it comes to the space you live in. You can customize the log cabin plans for your chosen handcrafted log cabin, by making several options for your log cabin kit regarding types of flooring, roofs and log cabin accessories. There are numerous log cabin designs available, and once you have defined your vision, you can proceed to order the vacation log cabin most suitable to your taste. You will be delighted to find out that a handcrafted log cabin is not only extremely comfortable and beautiful in itself, but also protective as far as the environment is concerned.

Building a traditional house has more damaging effects on nature than a log cabin ever could. This happens because a handcrafted log cabin is made principally of wood, which is a great renewable natural resource. As you can find out by studying log cabin plans, a great advantage of a log cabin is also its strength over time. You will not have any troubles with heating and insulation, because a log cabin kit ensures that your handcrafted log cabin is well provided for in this respect. With no technical worries on your mind, you can start browsing through available log cabin designs and order your favorite vacation log cabin.

The charm of a log cabin comes mainly from its appearance. Machine-built homes are not so artistic in their look, but a handcrafted log cabin will certainly show your tastes and personality, as the log cabin kit you order can be customized to suit your preferences. When you decide on the changes you would like to make to available log cabin plans, you should discuss them with your builders, who can offer you viable solutions on how to implement your requirements. Changes related to log cabin designs are very frequent among purchasers, who wish to have their vacation log cabin tailored to their tastes.

A great advantage of having a log cabin built for yourself is that you may get to spend less than on an ordinary home. Because a handcrafted log cabin is made of wood, it is not only less damaging towards the environment, but it can also involve lower costs when it comes to materials. Being able to tailor your log cabin plans means having the possibility to choose from or combine various log cabin designs and also to decide on the materials you want to use for your log cabin kit. One of the major factors that influences the total cost is the area in which you want your vacation log cabin built.

A log cabin of your own will give you the opportunity to escape daily routine and relax at the heart of nature. Remote and picturesque areas are preferred locations for a handcrafted log cabin, and if you have a specific place in mind you can either tailor your log cabin kit or choose among the numerous log cabin designs available, so that your home blends in well with the landscape. Many people dream of putting their log cabin plans into practice, because they enjoy nature and would like to live in a relaxing mood-sweetening home. If you are among them, you can make your dream come true, by ordering the vacation log cabin of your choice.

There are many people who decide to live in a handcrafted log cabin, because such a log cabin is not only comfortable, but also elegant and artistic in its appearance.

Web Site: http://loghome.ristiku.com
E-Mail: ristiku@ristiku.com

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How To Make A Green Home You Can Be Proud Of

With global warming and other environmental concerns increasingly on the minds of Americans, you want to green your home do your part to save the planet. Here are some easy and fun (and cost-effective!) ideas to make your home more environmentally sound.

Chuck the incandescent light bulbs wherever possible. These standard tear-drop shaped bulbs burn out relatively quickly and use up lots of electricity -- creating garbage and using up resources at the same time. Compact florescent light bulbs (a.k.a. CFLs) last many times longer than incandescent bulbs and use a fraction of the energy. They cost more per bulb, but money you save in energy will outweigh the price difference.

Give up on the bottled water. Sure, your Aquafina may taste slightly better than standard tap water, but the cost of bottled water to the environment cannot be underestimated. Bottled water takes energy to procure, distil, transport and package. Instead, buy a top-of-the-line sink filter or just keep a filtered water pitcher in the fridge. Not only will you protect the environment by cutting back on your consumption of plastic, but you will also save a bundle over the long-term on drinking water costs.

Recycle or give away (or sell on the cheap) your old furniture. Instead of trucking your old sofa or 1999 Sony T.V. to the dump, find your used furnishings a second home. You can use online give-away sites like Craigslist to find people in your local area who might want your furniture. You can also sell stuff on e-bay or give it away/sell it at a garage sale. Barring that, you can find an eco-friendly recycling center near you to dispose of your furniture with minimal damage to the environment.

Stock up on natural, organic products. Instead of installing a vinyl shower curtain, for instance, hang up a hemp curtain -- it's equally anti-fungal and does not release small amounts of volatile organic compounds every time you take a shower. Get rid of your harsh kitchen and bathroom cleansers and replace those nasty chemicals (which have been linked to all sorts of ailments and pregnancy-disorders) with safe compounds that won't hurt you, your children, your pets or your environment.

Reduce your dependence on heating and air-conditioning. You can keep a temperate house without paying your local energy company an arm and a leg. Turn off the heat and air-conditioning when you leave for work for the day (or go on vacation). Use your windows and shades to adjust to the weather outside. If it's super hot out, for instance, throw open the windows and turn on some fans. If it's incredibly cold, pull down your shades and keep windows tightly sealed to avoid heat-leakage. You can also invest in thermally efficient windows and sealants to boost your energy efficiency.

Get a professional energy audit. You can find top rated independent energy contractors out there to come to your home and point out precisely where and how you are wasting energy. By following their tips to reduce heat waste, you will not only reduce your consumption of fuel, but you will also pad your pocketbook in the long-term.

Make it a habit to turn off electrical devices when you are not using them. Before you go to sleep at night, go around and turn off the lights, the T.V., the computer, and other appliances, which can drain energy while you sleep. Also, many electronics like DVD players and video consoles stay 'on' even when turned 'off'’, so they continuously consume a small amount of energy – unplug them.

Landscape in an eco-friendly manner. Put out drums to catch rain water to hydrate your plants or garden (if you live in an area that's relatively drought-prone). Landscape with plants that are native to your region and soil type. If you try to keep tropical plants alive in an arid environment, you’ll inevitably use up an unseemly amount of water and natural resources keeping the plants healthy. You might also want to use your garden to grow organic vegetables.

Look for products and services to boost your green mission. You can find expandable foam to seal up drafts in your insulation. You can get screens to put in your windows to block out some of the solar radiation in the summer and thus help you save on air-conditioning costs. You can purchase eco-friendly power strips to reduce your energy bill and general power consumption. You can buy hemp grocery bags to transport your food (and thus save the planet from having to countenance hundreds of plastic and/or paper bags a year).

Get your family and friends into the green act. You can’t do it alone. Teach your family about the value of the environment and establish "rules of the house" to conserve resources and treat your local habitat with respect. Remember that greening your home can be a fun and educational process. Keep up to speed on the latest greening technologies by contacting local environmentally concerned groups or government agencies.

About Anne Li:
ARI Green Energy is a manufacturer of wind generator technologies. Visit them today for a full line of wind turbines and solar technology solutions. Think green.

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