Understanding Green Building

A Brief Overview on the Concepts and Future

• What is a Green Building?
• Characteristics of a Green Building
• Why Build Green?
• Who are the players in Green Building?
• Looking to the Future
• How Green Building will affect Policy
 

What is a Green Building?

  • Green buildings use resources such as energy, water, materials and land more efficiently and effectively than buildings built to code.

Characteristics of a Green Building

  • Tight Construction
  • Fresh Air Ventilation
  • Improved Thermal Systems
  • Proper Sized HVAC Equipment
  • Pressure Balancing and Tight Ducts
  • Interior Moisture Management
  • Combustion Safety
  • High Performance, Low E Windows
  • HVAC Located in Conditioned Space
  • Fireplaces with Outside Combustion

Why Build Green?

  • Environmental Justifications:
    • Buildings consume 68% of all electricity generated
    • $265 billion in purchased energy costs for U.S. buildings
    • U.S. buildings emit 560 million tons of CO2 /year
    • Buildings produce 36% of U.S. total CO2
    • Buildings account for 49% of all U.S. SO2
  • Cost Effectiveness Justification:
    • Reduced operating costs/lowered utility bills
    • Energy Efficient Mortgages
    • Improved IAQ
    • Reduction in CO2 and SO2 emissions
    • Tax credits
       
  • Energy Security Justifications:
    • Volatile energy market
    • Vulnerable to instability of resource-rich nations
    • Depletion of natural resources
    • Heading towards “Ecological Bankruptcy”
    • Increasing energy demands from Asia/India

Who are the players in Green Building?

  • USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council)
    • Creates the National Standard (resource)
  • Builders/Developers
    • Act as the enablers and implementers
  • Certifying Agents
    • Collect data and submit homes to be certified

Looking to the Future

  • Future Market trends:
    • By 2010, Residential Green Building is expected to be a $19–$38 billion market
    • According to the NAHB, the number of builders producing Green Homes increased 20% in 2005 (30% increase projected for 2006).
    • By 2010, Green Building will make up 5–10% of Residential New Construction.
    • Roughly, 500 companies are involved in producing Green Building materials—this number will grow as the industry becomes more mainstream.
    • Rising Energy Costs are projected to be directly proportional to Green Building Demand.

How Green Building will affect Policy

  • Green Buildings will be able to “fast track” through the permitting process (already beginning).
  • Eventually, energy efficiency practices will slowly make their way into code.
  • The “Green Building Paradigm” will shift.
  • Builders choosing to go “Green” will eventually make their decision based upon life cycle operating costs, as opposed to the current trend of wanting to do the right thing.
  • Tax Credits for Modular Homes Manufactured to Green Standards.

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