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GREEN MAXIMIZES:
Finances, tax credits, market value of
home, disaster protection, homeland security via renewable energy,
support of local businesses, smart design, and quality results
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GREEN MINIMIZES:
Energy use by 20-50%, water use by 30-50%, storm water run-off,
pesticide and toxic chemical use; resource and construction waste; human
and environmental disease
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Best Practices:
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Certify
your building under USGBC LEED certification
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Build
in accordance with climate zone and ecosystem
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Optimize
site orientation and apply whole-site design
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Resource and energy efficiency in
design, construction and operations
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Use materials that are
recycled, durable, non-toxic and rapidly renewable
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Conserve and reuse water on-site
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Treat storm water on-site
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Promote health re: indoor air quality
and construction waste
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Integrate natural day lighting and
ventilation
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Cost savings
Whole-Site (or Integrated) Design:
Green building practices are much more than simply adding green
materials to a structure. An important component is about using a
multidisciplinary approach that incorporates just about all aspects of
design of the site and the building, including the building envelope as
well as an integrated landscaping plan. The results are holistic,
similar to the synchronicity and awesomeness of a musical symphony.
The parts harmonize with one another to create a beautifully intended
result. Whole-site building design works best early in the design
process as the design-build team establishes a game plan for how
individual materials and technologies will interact with one another for
an ideal outcome. We now have exact engineering software methods
to predict superb results. Integrated design can result in "first-cost"
and "long-term" cost savings and significantly increase the market value
of a home or building.
Examples of Whole-Site Design:
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Passive solar design of a building saves up to 20% in energy use.
It saves money via downsized and less stressed HVAC systems, and
through the need for less artificial lighting and fixtures. People
are happy to have more access to daylight and natural ventilation.
- Strategically placed windows, a right-sized/highly efficient HVAC
system, and shading with landscape and window coverings can result
in first cost savings and immediate energy savings
- LRV (light reflectance value) of paint
color and shading can lower heat loads dramatically
- Storm
water and gray water (all water previously used in any home,
excluding toilet and kitchen sink water) can be reused for
landscape irrigation and toilet flushing.
HEALTHY INDOOR AIR QUALITY (IAQ): A MUST!!!
Allergies,
asthma, compromised immune systems and sick-building syndrome are
concepts that are significantly reduced or non-issues in a well-designed
home or building.
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Use of devises that measure and improve air quality prior to
people moving into the building
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Significant
reductions of dust and mold due to high quality HVAC systems and
attention to humidity factors
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Air circulation
systems that regularly allow for fresh air and ensure the protection
of the already conditioned air
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Insulation and
sealants in the right places, and state-of-the-art window choices;
this removes and/or lessens typical air pollutants from such sources
as fireplaces and furnaces, pesticides, radon, mold, dust, cleaning
products, cooking, and conventional building materials
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Less
off-gassing from VOCs (volatile organic compounds) by using less
toxic building materials
TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE:
PEOPLE, PLANET, PROFIT
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