Green Architecture - Interior Remodeling In Southern Climates

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.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Maria_Luisa_Castellanos

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

Strict Green Home Designs

The green movement has seen a considerable evolution since the early 70s. In those halcyon days of the Peace Movement, Vietnam War and the winding down of counter culture, building green was in its infancy. Open a brochure of green home designs from the 70s and probably what stared out at you were structures shaped like anthills or cave dwellings. You wondered at the sanity of it all.

The concept of living with the nature, environmentally friendly initiatives was very much a part then, but was the preserve of some people. That has changed to green buildings being built by large construction companies with considerable support from the government. A trendy concept of the 70s has now transformed into an official mascot of many a nations.

In the 70s there was no real professional effort at building green homes. Designs mimicked natural designs of indigenous people without really trying to incorporate the wishes and aspirations of modern day living. There was no concerted effort at scientifically arriving at green home designs. Modern day avatars of green home designs follow a rigid certification code in many counties in the world. In the US, The Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) is an initiative that sets standards for green home designs. The same standards have been incorporated by some countries while others have evolved their own. In the 70s, green home designs tended to concentrate on stand alone projects. Present day evolution looks at green home designs as a full fledged eco system. Now, factors such as recycling, indigenous practices, environment and architecture are examined holistically.

An important role in the evolution of green home design has been brought by Science. In the 70s powerful computers were not available. Computer Aided Designs (CAD) with wind flow computations and solar capture calculations make designing green homes far more efficient than the 70s. Even greening of construction materials has received an impetus thanks to advances in science. Nature friendly, recycled products, made possible by advances in science are regularly used by construction companies. A typical example is of fly ash, a waste product which can as well be used in mixed cement with same qualities. As our environmental challenges increase and more and more countries recognize that it is our responsibility to conserve our resources, building green homes has become an internationally recognized initiative. Thus green home designs have traveled from a niche specialization in the 70s to the mainstream of the construction business today.

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

Find more information about green home building, visit www.GreenHomeGuide.org.

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

For more information on GTA Condos and Houses - Buying and Sellings Tips
Please visit: http://www.rakeshpabbi.com

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.

4 Great Ideas On Green Home Design

The way we humans are currently living isn't going to be sustainable for long. This is a fact that were becoming more and more aware of every day. And so green home design, formerly a small market, is spreading steadily over the world. Some experts predict that green home design will soon make up a huge slice of the real estate industry.

In the United States, homes create 38% of the total carbon emissions. Especially if we want to stop global warming, building our homes with green home designs will have a significant effect on the future. If you're looking to incorporate a bit of green home design, there are a hundred small things you can do to green-up your home. But for those into truly lowering their homes impact on the environment, there are four basic green home design rules to follow.

• Rule 1 in Green Home Design: Go Small

There's something gloriously attractive about large, mansion-like homes. But large homes use up an incredible amount of energy for heating and cooling-- and this energy generally comes from nasty fossil fuels that muck up our environment. These homes also require more resources for building and create more waste as a result. So if you're looking to incorporate green home design in your building plans, build small.

• Green Home Design Rule 2: Incorporate Passive Solar Design

Passive solar cooling and heating is one of the most important elements of green home design. The relatively simple concept behind passive solar design is to design a home according to the climate. In warmer climates, homes are designed to absorb less heat. In colder areas, design is used to reduce the amount of heat lost. To do this, green home design is incorporated into the orientation of the building, the location of the windows, the flooring (stone is best), and other elements of the home to reduce the amount of energy wasted.

• Rule 3 in Green Home Design: Recycle and Reuse Materials

Unfortunately, almost all the materials you use in your home will harm the environment, either during manufacturing or transportation to your home. The use of renewable or recycled materials which are manufactured locally helps to reduce the damage building can have on the environment. Use recycled materials, such as recycled insulation and lumber composites, or quickly-renewable products, such as bamboo flooring, in your green home design.

• Green Home Design Rule 4: Optimize your Heating and Cooling

Heat and AC systems are the most energy-consuming elements in almost any home. And even though the thought of the hot summer months might make an oversized air conditioning system sound pretty tempting, this kind of cooling is as anti-green home design as you can get. Large AC systems overcool the air, and tend to cycle on and off too frequently. This constant on-and-off cycle gives large AC systems a short lifespan, making them create extra waste along with using up extra fuel.

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

Find more information regarding building a green home, click greenhomeguide.org.

Green Home Construction Tips

A well-designed green home construction requires consideration of several factors, which must be incorporated in the initial structuring stages. Using eco-friendly raw materials is an important management measure in the construction of green homes. Cement high on fly ash content could be one of these alternatives. Salvage of reusable material from landfills, such as using re-engineered wood or ancient wooden beams retrieved from old houses are other aspects of using recycled materials. Green features work better when included in the initial construction phase. Installation of a drip irrigation system instead of a sprinkler system is one such measure. A rainwater harvesting plant is best effective when installed in the initial design stage. Pathways, drive ways should be made of permeable paving so that rainwater can seep through the soil.

Using Forest Stewardship Council (SFC) certified wood for all wooden fittings in the house is favorable to a green house construction. Green home constructions aim at cleaner indoor environment by making use of no/low formaldehyde interior paints. Harnessing the power of the sun by fitting solar heaters and photovoltaic cells helps reduce electricity consumption and lower bills. It is better to fit light colored roofs than dark colored roofs because they are more reflective and thus reduce buildup of heat inside the house. Light colored roofs do not undergo as much thermal expansion as dark colored roofs and hence last longer.

Green home construction need to also address the inside fittings of the house, both static as well as movable. It is best to use recycled wood furniture for the house interiors. Various companies advertise recycled plastic furniture for the garden. A green initiative gaining popularity is using cork or bamboo flooring instead of the usual hardwood flooring. Avoid using vinyl linoleum, natural linoleum is a better choice. Make sure that the ducting in the house is leak proof. It has been estimated that leaks in ducting cause a loss over 10% of the energy used. Using low volume flush toilets and fitting flow reducers to faucets and shower heads helps cut down 40% of the water volume and nobody will even notice the difference. Use on insulation which does not contain formaldehyde helps prevent sickness. One good material for insulation is cellulose insulation made out of recycled paper.

Double paned windows with low emission are very good green concepts. The advantages of double paned windows are that they help in providing insulation as well as reduction of noise. Insulation can further be enhanced using wooden frames for housing windows. The piping of the house should have a jacket to reduce loss of heat. These guidelines should come in handy if you are planning to build a green home.

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

For more related to green home, go to GreenHomeGuide.org.