Green Building
What is Green Building?
“In general, green is based on the concept of sustainability. The most commonly accepted definition of sustainability refers to our ability to meet our needs in the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. The truth is that we are using up resources on the planet at an alarming rate, not sustainably-everything from fossil fuels to fresh water to forests and food resources- and in doing so, we are endangering the delicate balance of nature. We are impacting climate and ecosystems by overharvesting and polluting, leading to events that eventually may threaten our own survival. The effect to these practices has already devastated many important natural resources globally, including our rainforests, farmland and wildlife habitats.
A truly green home should deliver real benefits in terms of the amount of energy and water it requires to operate over its lifetime. It should be built using durable materials and methods, so there is less maintenance and longer periods between major repair cycles. It should provide a comfortable shelter for its occupants, one with fewer environmental pollutants that affect their health. And it should place less of a burden on our community and our planet, not damaging ecosystems or requiring the creation of massive new infrastructure to support it.”
Excerpt from Green Home Building by Green Building and Sustainability Consultant, Miki, Cook, and Building Science Consultant, Doug Garrett. 2014.
Components of Green Building
Icynene: Spray Foam
- Windows
- Solar Panels
- Wood
- Minisplit- A/C
Icynene
Icynene: Spray Foam Insulation
New technology is taking insulation to the next level. In place of the traditional fiberglass insulating material, a two-part mixture of isocyanate and polyol resin mix at the tip of a spray gun to create an expanding foam that insulates with impressive efficiency.
Among many notable benefits, the efficiency in which Icynene performs to conserve energy is what is drawing crowds to this valuable alternative. Icynene saves tremendous amounts of energy every year by insulating up to 50% better than traditional fiberglass products. In addition to energy conservation, spray foam insulation protects well against moisture, leading to less mold, mildew and rot of wood building materials, and reduces noise.
Windows
http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/green-basics/windows-glass-ratings-and-installation-0
https://www.go-gba.org/resources/green-building-methods/energy-efficient-windows/
Solar Panels
http://photovoltaics.sustainablesources.com/
http://www.wbdg.org/resources/photovoltaics.php
Wood
http://www.rethinkwood.com/sites/default/files/Wood-Products-Green-Building.pdf
http://www.woodworks.org/wp-content/uploads/Green_Bldg.pdf
Minisplit- A/C
http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/green-basics/ductless-minisplit-heat-pumps
http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/qa-spotlight/looking-best-minisplit-option