A home that has many green building techniques implemented into its design.
Introduction
As potential new home-builders or homeowners, you should know that green building is becoming more popular everyday. Building green or sustainable construction “does not necessarily mean major sacrifices in comfort, convenience, or even safety in the design and construction of homes or buildings” (Deal 13). Sustainable construction, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), states that “Green building is the practice of creating structures and using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle from sitting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation and deconstruction” (U.S. EPA Definition of). Through this life-cycle strategy, I will explain the most important aspects of green building, which consist of building materials, efficient heating and cooling systems, and water conservation. I will then explain why some feel the costs could be too much to burden and the ways the government has tried to help with these extra costs.
Building Materials
A chart displaying the amount of money spent on green building materials since 2003
Building materials are essential in the efforts of sustainable construction. These materials are the first step in helping to get a home labeled as an ENERGY STAR efficient home. The ENERGY STAR label “is the government backed symbol for energy efficiency. An ENERGY STAR labeled product, appliance or building indicates superior energy performance” (U.S. EPA Reducing Energy Use). The label works with all building materials and products as well. These materials and products are under such building categories as sealing and insulation, roof products, windows and doors, and flooring.
Sealing and Insulation
The majority of homeowners can feel the easy to find air leaks around windows and doors, but it is the ones they cannot see or feel that are the most costly. According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s energy star website, “holes hidden in attics, basements, and crawlspaces are usually bigger problems” than those out in the open spaces of a home. Their website recommends, “sealing these leaks with caulk, spray foam, or weather stripping” (U.S. EPA Energy Star), which will cut down on utility bills and improve the living conditions within a home. Furthermore, leaks and cracks develop within the air ducts that distribute hot and cold air throughout the house. “In a typical house, however, about 20 percent of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks and poorly sealed connections” (U.S. EPA Energy Star). When these are not taken care of, utility bills will rise and a reasonable comfort level within a home cannot be reached. A homeowner can also cut down on their utility costs by using insulation products, which go hand-in-hand with correct air sealing. Types of insulation include fiberglass, cellulose, rigid foam board, and spray foam. The Department of Energy website says, “Insulation is rated in terms of thermal resistance, called R-value, which indicates the resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating effectiveness” (U.S. DOE Fact Sheet Insulation). This rating system is used for differing temperatures throughout the country so that the correct amount and type of insulation is used to produce the most effective return on the insulation that is used.
Roof Products
Roof products are the second type of building material that is essential to sustainable construction. The roof of a home absorbs the sun’s heat and transfers it into the home, but an ENERGY STAR qualified roof will “reflect more of the sun’s rays…and can reduce peak cooling demand by 10-15 percent” (U.S. EPA Energy Star). Roofs are an important element in having energy efficient homes throughout the country. A more reflective roof can reduce the amount of time an air conditioner needs to be used, which in turn reduces “the demand for electric power and resulting air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions” (U.S. EPA Reducing Energy Use). A new direction, that is not as popular on homes as it is buildings right now, is green roofs. “Green roofs are tools for dealing with storm water runoff and reducing urban heat islands. Other industry claims include their ability to reduce energy use by insulating buildings from extreme temperatures” (Levine). These green roofs are a different option that could become more popular as green building becomes increasingly popular.
Windows and Doors
The third sustainable construction material needed for an energy efficient home is windows and doors. Windows and doors are important because that is where the most common air leaks are found. A home with airtight windows and doors “can reduce your energy bills up to 15% while helping protect the environment” (U.S. EPA Energy Star).
Flooring
Types of flooring are the last important factor in determining energy efficiency within building materials. There are numerous types of floors that can be used to build sustainable homes. A list might look something like rubber flooring, bamboo, timber used from sustainable forests, recycled flooring materials, cork, and wool (“Recommended Materials…”). The type of floor that is used is factored into two categories when determining a green home, which are in-home living conditions and building materials. The type of floor chosen is an important decision because sustainability within a home is necessary, but comfort maybe more important.
Heating and Cooling Systems
Efficient heating and cooling systems are an integral piece of the puzzle when it comes to sustainable construction. These systems are usually the source of the increased costs in utility bills if they are not properly functioning as “heating and cooling costs the average homeowner about $1,000 a year” (U.S. EPA Energy Star).
There are numerous areas of inefficiency within these systems that could occur. It is possible for there too be air leaks, functioning issues within the heating and cooling systems, or even wear and tear from years of use. These issues could lead to one of two possible results, which are finding and fixing all of the issues that arise or replacing it with a brand new ENERGY STAR qualified unit. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, if a “central air conditioning unit is more than 12 years old, replacing it with an ENERGY STAR qualified model could cut your cooling costs by 30%” (U.S. EPA Energy Star). The heating systems recommended by the EPA are air source and geothermal heat pumps. An air source heat pump uses “the difference between outdoor air temperatures and indoor air temperatures to cool and heat your home” (U.S. EPA Energy Star).
According to the Consumer Energy Center, a geothermal heat pump will “rely on the stable, even heat of the earth to provide heating, air conditioning and, in most cases, hot water” (California Energy Commission). The new efficient heating and cooling systems can range anywhere from 8 to 45 percent in terms of increased efficiency compared to new standard units and the old ones that already exist in the houses. This increased efficiency and reduced utility costs can add up and outweigh the upfront costs involved with purchasing one of this new heating and cooling systems.
Water Conservation
Water conservation is the third important aspect of sustainable construction that I want to focus on. This is maybe the most important aspect of the three that I will talk about. I say this because of the overall effect that water has on the environment, humans, and its uses throughout the country. As water becomes scarce in some parts of the country, such as the Las Vegas region, it is important for those who have the access to sufficient amounts of water to use it in the most efficient ways possible. According to the EPA, “less than 1% of all the water on Earth can be used by people” (U.S. EPA Conserving Water). Within sustainable construction, water conservation is possible in many different ways. These ways can consist of collection of rain water using underground collection systems, water collection that allows the rain water to be used for everyday household uses, having water efficient fixtures and appliances, and being conscious of the amount of running water that is used for everyday tasks. There are many ways to collect rainwater and one of the easiest is to collect it in a rain barrel, which could “save the average homeowner about 1,300 gallons of water during the peak summer months, or 40% of total household water use” (U.S. EPA Conserving Water). Rain barrels allow homeowners to conserve water by re-using rainwater to do everyday household tasks such as washing the car, watering plants, or topping off the swimming pool.
A diagram giving ways to conserve water.
Having water efficient appliances and fixtures allows energy and water to be saved. Replacing a toilet with a high-efficient one “can save a family of four, on average, $2,000 in water bills over the lifetime of the toilets” (U.S. EPA Conserving Water). The same goes for faucets and showerheads where 32 percent of residential indoor water use occurs. These fixtures need to be fixed and maintained to function properly. As for water-efficient appliances, the most notable is the washing machine. The washing machine “uses about 41 gallons of water per load, and is the second largest water user in your home,” according to the EPA (U.S. EPA Conserving Water). The new, “high-efficiency washing machines use 35 to 50 percent less water, as well as 50 percent less energy per load” (U.S. EPA Conserving Water).
Water conservation can occur within a household member’s everyday life. A few examples are shutting off the water when one brushes their teeth, fix leaks as soon as one becomes aware of them, avoid over-watering the lawn, and take shorter showers. These are just a few of the many things one can do to increase their water conservation and decrease their water bill.
Costs: The Counter Argument
The most commonly heard argument to building green is the extra costs involved. Though many people may want to build a sustainable home, at this time in our country it is very difficult to get the cash to pay the extra costs up front. The economy is down and many people have been looking for ways to stretch their dollar into two or three dollars. Several of the items that are listed above can range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars in extra expenses at the beginning. According to the U.S. EPA, “these products can be more expensive to purchase up front” (U.S. EPA Energy Star), which in turn causes the homeowner to look for the more conventional, less expensive alternatives. Though it may sound good to the customer to see a more affordable price tag, they should consider the long-term impact of their short-term decision.
Savings: Energy Bills & Tax Credits
If the homeowner were to sit down and figure out the costs involved in terms of up front costs plus long-term utility costs then they would realize the savings that would benefit them from going green. The energy efficient products are more expensive at the outset of the purchase, but “the cost difference will be paid back over time through lower energy bills” (U.S. EPA Energy Star). The long-term affect on energy bills is not the only option in terms of savings for customers who purchase ENERGY STAR qualified products. If the homeowner chooses to purchase some energy efficient products during the years of 2009 and 2010, then there are possible tax credits for some of the products. The most publicized of these are windows, doors, and appliances, which are eligible for up to a $1,500 tax credit.
Financing
In addition to lower long-term energy bills and a tax credit up front for energy efficient purchases, there is also special financing that maybe available to those who purchase these products. Here is what the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s website on Energy Star has to say about financing available to those who purchase energy efficient products:
ENERGY STAR financing was created to make it easier for consumers to purchase ENERGY STAR qualified products. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) do not provide the funding for the financing. Rather, the EPA works with private lenders and sponsors, such as manufacturer, utility, energy efficiency administrator, or retailer partners, who are interested in providing energy efficiency financing to their customers. Like other ENERGY STAR qualifying products, the EPA allows companies to use the ENERGY STAR label on financing products that meet certain criteria. At a minimum, the EPA requires that the financing product give consumers the incentive to purchase ENERGY STAR qualified products. This can take the form of lower interest rates and longer repayment terms than those offered for non-ENERGY STAR qualified equipment. Both the lender and the sponsor must have a signed agreement with EPA. (U.S. EPA Energy Star)
Conclusion
Building green is the wave of the future and is important for long-term future of our country. There are numerous ways for people to build green and live sustainable lives. The impact that building materials, heating and cooling systems, and water conservation can have on the resources of this country, utility bills, and health of the individual within the home is huge. It is important for homeowners to realize the long-term benefits that outweigh the short-term costs so that they too can live sustainable lives. I feel that with the increasing help of the federal and local governments, it is possible for everyone to begin to build green and live sustainable lives.
Works Cited
California Energy Commission. Consumer Energy Center. California Energy Commission. 2006.
Web. 2 May 2010.
The California Energy Commission gives information regarding renewable energy sources. I will use this to explain the basics of geothermal energy.
Deal, Walter F. "A Place to Stay: Building Green." Technology Teacher 69.6 (2010): 11-16.
Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 27 Apr. 2010.
Deal’s article gives examples of what is important in green construction as well as the definition of green construction. I will use these examples to provide a foundation for my paper.
Levine, Ketzel. “‘Green’ Roofs Sprout Up All Over.” National Public Radio. National Public
Radio, 23 June 2004. Web. 28 Apr. 2010. <http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1970286>
The article explains the growing trend of planting grass and flowers on top of rooftops to reduce energy costs and deal with storm water.
“Recommended Materials for Sustainable Construction.” Lambeth Housing. Lambeth Housing,
Sept. 2008. PDF. 2 May. 2010
This article provides a listing of flooring materials used for sustainable construction. I will use this list to give examples of types of flooring that can be used.
United States. Department of Energy. Fact Sheet Insulation. DOE. 15 Jan. 2008. Web. 28 Apr.
2010.
The Department of Energy website gives information about how to conserve energy. I will use this website to give information about insulation.
United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Conserving Water. EPA, 9 Nov. 2009. Web. 2
May 2010.
This website explains ways to reduce and reuse water in the most efficient of ways. I will share some of these ideas within my paper.
United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Definition of Green Building. EPA, 2 Apr.
2010. Web. 27 Apr. 2010.
EPA basic information page gives essential information regarding the foundation of what green building is all about. I will use this web page to provide a basic description of green building.
United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Reducing Energy Use. EPA, 16 Dec. 2009.
Web. 27 Apr. 2010.
This site provides information on heating and cooling systems. This information will be used to provide efficient ways to cut down on heating and cooling.
United States. Environmental Protection Agency: Energy Star. Products. EPA, Web. 27 Apr.
2010.
The energy star website gives a comprehensive look at materials used in green building. I will use this information to further enhance my point through specific types of materials and products used to gain an ENERGY STAR rating.
Super-impressive blog organization and formatting. I must say though that the images could be larger. Click on extra large when you place the images next time or get a higher resolution.
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