Starting over, whether you’re considering buying a new home or building one, offers a unique opportunity to consider green; a greener community, green materials for remodeling, and cost-effective new building practices that lend themselves to natural products.
With a public upsurge in environmental concerns, many cities and states have taken the initiative to make improvements and make themselves a haven for environmentally friendly citizens. If you know where you are going to live, you can choose to use more environmentally friendly home designs and construction materials. This chapter outlines the ways and means to find a green city or build a green house.
Many mayors are taking it upon themselves to be good stewards of the environment. They are taking actions to improve air quality, reduce electrical use and production, encourage eco-friendly building construction, allocate more green space, support nontraditional transportation, and set aside or improve areas for recreational activities.
The United States Conference of Mayors is just one coalition working to improve cities in a variety of ways. In an effort to improve air quality, 1,066 mayors have pledged accordance with the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, a pact that encourages each city to reduce greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels. The organization shares ideas and outcomes from programs they have implemented, providing a network of environmental actions and results for others to learn from. This is just one example of how communities are working together to improve conditions in their own cities and towns.
When it comes to good stewardship, Austin, Texas; San Francisco; Portland, Oregon; Boston; Honolulu; and many others have been identified by sites like www.directenergy.com as showing success. Chicago and Minneapolis are very conscientious when it comes to encouraging clean air and water, promoting green building, and ensuring that parks and open spaces are protected. Portland, Oregon, got the top spot Direct Energy blog’s list for 2018 because of its numerous bike trails, open space, and commitment to renewable resources. Forty-nine percent of the city’s power is provided by hydroelectricity and wind power. Portland has set a goal of reaching 100 percent renewable energy by 2050.
States may not be involved on the same level as cities, but they still take measures to make themselves more environmentally friendly to homeowners. States on both coasts have come together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The West Coast Governors’ Global Warming Initiative, including California, Oregon, and Washington, puts limits on greenhouse gas emissions and commits the states to using increasing amounts of renewable energy. In fact, if California, Oregon, and Washington were a country, they would rank seventh in the world in terms of the least greenhouse gas emissions. California alone would rank twelfth.
Nine states on the other side of the country—Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont—formed the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative with similar aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Federal and state tax incentives or local utility rebates may be available for energy-efficient products purchased and installed in your home. The cost of Energy Star–rated appliances like solar water heaters, photovoltaic cells, and windows can sometimes be deducted from federal income tax. The North Carolina Solar Center publishes a list of state incentives and programs. The state-by-state list is available on www.dsireusa.org.
Today, 90 percent of new homes built in the United States are Energy Star compliant. The EPA and the Department of Energy created Energy Star criteria to give homeowners and contractors guidelines and direction when looking for more sustainable approaches to construction. Energy Star rates homes, businesses, and household products for energy efficiency. The Energy Star website, www.energystar.gov, has more information.
If you are looking for a clean start in a new city, there are a few telltale signs to consider when it comes to making a choice. If environmental stewardship, recreational opportunities, or mass transit systems figured into your decision, tell the community by writing to the mayor’s office and local newspapers. If more cities see these factors as magnets drawing people to them, it will reinforce the connection between environmental quality and economic viability.
Air quality is an important consideration when it comes to calling a place home. How does a city rank for fuel exhaust pollution? The EPA maintains an Air Quality Index (www.airnow.gov) that scores ozone and particulate matter for different cities across the United States.
Another link to air quality is a city’s ability to encourage environmentally friendly transportation. Mass transit systems cut down on the number of personal vehicles on the road, reduce parking and congestion problems, and limit or decrease greenhouse gas emissions and smog. Conscientious cities also provide carpool lanes, dedicated bicycle lanes, walking trails, and sidewalks and are designed to run efficiently without the need for individually owned vehicles.
The sources of a city’s energy correlate not just to the degradation of air quality, but to the generation of greenhouse gases as well. If you want to live in a city that’s going beyond the norm when it comes to energy generation, look for cities that either already use or are making headway with alternative fuels such as biomass, geothermal, hydroelectric, solar, and wind. Websites with information on cities that use alternative fuels include www.sustainlane.us and www.energy.gov/eere/office-energy-efficiency-renewable-energy.
City designers that take into account not just buildings but green space understand an important aspect of improving environmental quality. Eco-friendly spaces provided by a municipality include athletic fields and parks as well as walking and biking trails along with recreational water and clean water resources. The US Green Building Council (USGBC) runs the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, setting criteria for what is considered a green building. LEED takes into account human and environmental health, sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, material selection, and indoor environmental quality. Some builders specifically design houses or developments with sustainability in mind. When looking for a house, find out if the community includes any of these developments. Also, if you’re looking for a builder familiar with green construction, visit www.energystar.gov, where builders familiar with environmentally friendly home construction are listed by city and state.
Municipal recycling programs are also one indication of a city’s dedication to the environment. Recycling not only conserves natural resources; it also reduces the energy needed to make recycled products. If you’re moving, you can consider choosing a city that encourages recycling with curbside programs and recycling centers that go beyond the standard glass, paper, and aluminum. When performed well, recycling programs not only offset the cost of waste disposal; they can also generate income for an area. Recycling can be a sophisticated business; running a successful operation means keeping up with current trends, technology, and other professionals. There are challenges to recycling, however, such as when the energy required to transport the reclaimed materials offsets any potential gains.
Portland, Oregon, puts an emphasis on being sustainable. It was the first US city to implement a plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Oregon relies on hydroelectric power for 44 percent of its energy production. Portland recycles not only the standard glass, metal, and plastic but also accepts residential yard waste and food from businesses for compost. Feeling safe about the water delivered from the tap is something to consider too. The EPA requires that municipalities’ water quality be documented and reported as part of the Safe Drinking Water Act. The EPA does not maintain the data in a searchable format, but it can direct any interested party to information on a particular water system. Towns, cities, and utilities should have this information on hand and may even post it on their website. Safe drinking water should not contain compounds that are required to be monitored at levels exceeding the EPA Drinking Water Standards. Data that are available for review should note any levels in excess of allowable concentrations.
If you already know what town or city you are going to live in, either due to family, work, or environmental reasons, there are still choices about which part of town to live in. Consider all of your commutes—to work, school, the grocery store, and other regular activities. Take into account the frequency of those trips and when they’ll be made. What appears to be a great location at two in the afternoon may turn ugly during rush hour. If you are relocating, start looking at places that will give you the shortest trip miles through the week. This strategy will save money that you would spend on fuel and reduce wear and tear on the car, and it may also offer the possibility of biking or walking to some destinations.
What are the mass transit routes and other transportation opportunities for work or school? Is carpooling an option? Or is a subway or train station located nearby? An activity that a family member participates in regularly may also be a controlling consideration. Weigh all the factors.
Although debated by many, urban sprawl is blamed for many of society’s woes. Urban sprawl indeed fragments and destroys wildlife habitat and corridors. The persistent construction of low-density housing developments requires additional roads and cars to navigate them, altering natural water runoff pathways and contributing to petroleum by-products that wash into the sewer system. Unless houses or developments are constructed to be independent from municipal services, other infrastructure systems such as water, wastewater, and electricity have to be expanded to accommodate spreading cities.
Mother Nature should be your ultimate general contractor, helping with heating and cooling. In locations with warm climates, the broad side of the house should face north or south to avoid a direct hit—and resulting heat gain—from the sun. Deep overhangs will also help block the sun and reduce excessive heat gains by putting the house in the shade. Tint can be applied to windows, particularly sliding glass doors or large picture windows that can heat up a room quickly and force an air conditioner to work overtime. Without impacting the view, tinting can provide a savings of 5 to 10 percent of the energy needed to cool a house when applied to western-facing windows. Windows facing east also let heat into a house; however, because houses are usually not as hot in the morning when the sun is rising, savings may not be as great. In colder climates, take advantage of the sun’s heating abilities. Heat provided from the sun can be stored in the concrete or stone walls of a house, helping to keep it warm even after the sun goes down.
Solar screens reduce heat and glare from the sun but allow the light to enter the house without impeding the outside view. Trees can provide natural solar protection. Some trees are particularly useful in blocking the sun because of their height and shape. It’s important to choose a tree that is native to the location for optimal health and lower maintenance. If it’s an option, retain as many of the existing trees as possible when building on a new lot. They’ll provide shade and have already proven themselves as being viable on the property.
When it comes to building a green house, make sure to do your homework. There are sources available online (e.g., www.energystar.gov) and at your local bookstore with information on green building alternatives and designs. Look for contractors and designers with experience in sustainability and find out what other houses they have built. Ask for referrals and then give their clients a call.
Soil can also be an essential source for maintaining the temperature of a home. By building a home partially below grade, you can maintain a more moderate temperature year-round. The earth is usually cooler than above ground, so heating may be necessary to maintain a comfortable temperature in cold weather. However, because the soil provides insulation, the heat will remain in the house rather than escape to the outside. Energy-conscious contractors and architects will work with you to achieve your goals. Many of the same new construction considerations apply to renovation. You should be able to discuss alternatives with your contractor to ensure that sustainable elements are brought into the design. Also, if you are demolishing older portions of a home, the material being removed should be reclaimed and reused or handled properly to avoid excessive waste.
If your contractor is not familiar with recycling programs in the area, it may be worthwhile for you to make some phone calls. Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit organization that builds homes, runs a program called ReStore that accepts donations of used or excess building materials in good condition. Local solid-waste authorities may also have information on specific recyclers in the area. Try calling salvage companies to see what kind of material they are interested in.
Choosing building materials to preserve natural resources means using elements from renewable resources that help conserve energy and improve the health and well-being of those inside. Qualities to look for in these materials include conserving resources, improving indoor air quality, being energy efficient, and conserving water. Most important, make sure the materials are affordable not just for construction, but also to operate on a month-by-month basis.
From the outside in, there are a variety of recycled materials available for building homes. Products made from recycled materials require less energy to produce and use ingredients that would otherwise need to be disposed of in a landfill or incinerator. Starting from the bottom up, the foundation of most homes can be made using concrete that incorporates fly ash (the remnants from coal power plants) and even recycled concrete. Depending on the construction, it could be possible to incorporate the foundation into the finished floor design, which would require fewer building materials than usual.
If you are shopping for construction materials, look for products with the recycled symbol: three arrows chasing each other in the shape of a triangle. If you are working with a contractor, discuss up-front the need to use recycled materials. Many recycled construction materials are available, including roof material, gypsum board, steel studs, siding, and fascia. Because of customer demand, larger home-improvement stores are beginning to stock more recycled building products.
Recycled paper is being employed in a variety of different home projects. For example, a mixture of cement and paper, called papercrete, is being used to make bricks for home construction. The blocks are strong and provide excellent insulation from weather and sound. A variety of mixes can be used with lesser or greater amounts of cement, depending on your personal preference and the desired end result.
Concrete isn’t without its environmental flaws. It requires the mining of materials, such as limestone, which alters the land and surface-water flow and affects inhabitants of nearby areas. Its production is energy intensive, not just in mining and transport but in processing as well; this energy is usually produced by coal-fired power plants. Carbon dioxide is produced by the power plants used to supply electricity to the processing facility and as part of the chemical process of converting limestone into lime. The process also produces sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxides. Particulate matter, or dust, is also created during the mining, storage, and transportation of the materials. Although the mining and processing associated with making concrete has improved over the decades, there are still issues that make reducing the amount produced practical.
Using papercrete reduces the need to purchase and produce cement. The bricks made from papercrete can be used to build straight walls, providing a finished product that looks similar to most standard homes. Papercrete can also be used to construct arches and domes. When constructing domes, the need for roofing materials is eliminated, another positive attribute to using this building material.
Cellulose, or recycled paper, can also be used in making fiberboard and gypsum-board sheeting material. Cellulose is used for the interior walls of homes. Recycled paper can be incorporated into insulation. The liquid pulp can be blown into walls or attics, offering an alternative to fiberglass insulation. High-density polyethylene (HDPE), which comes from used milk jugs, juice bottles, and detergent containers, can be recycled into lumber substitutes. This material is generally not used for indoor construction, but it is becoming more and more popular for outdoor decking and fencing. It’s a common component of outdoor amenities such as benches, picnic tables, and trash cans. Not only does HDPE use recycled materials—it also avoids the need to use lumber that needs to be treated to withstand weather and insects.
Materials that are grown to be harvested, such as bamboo, are preferable to those whose supply is limited for use in homebuilding and repairs. Examples of renewable materials include wood from forests that are harvested using sustainable methods. These resources are managed so that there is as little impact on the environment as possible. Sustainable products also provide resources and incomes to local populations where they are harvested.
Companies offering renewable resources ensure limited use of chemicals, provide conservation zones, and provide protection for rare or threatened species. By growing resources, farmers can properly use the land while providing for their families and villages without damaging the environment and hindering its future use.
Interior fixtures can be reused just like external building materials. Salvaging or reusing materials has many advantages. Some people who could not afford antiques inherit vintage material such as beautifully grained wood flooring or heavy steel door handles. By looking to demolition sites, builders can obtain materials that would otherwise have been disposed of, and allow them to live on in someone else’s home. When reusing older building materials, for example, plumbing and lighting fixtures should be checked to ensure they meet current building codes before they’re installed. When designing a new home or remodeling an existing one, homeowners can contact local salvage companies to see what is available. Many carry an evolving and changing stock of cast-iron bathtubs, oak mantels, and stained-glass windows. Contractors working as salvage companies used to be rare entities, but they are becoming more common. The relationship works best if customers can be patient and wait for just the right piece.
Dumpster diving is more than recycling; it’s a social network. In communities all over the country, dumpster divers meet up online and in person to share stories and tips. Before you go diving in, check your local laws to avoid being cited for trespassing. Divers should never leave a mess; it is not environmentally friendly and will give other divers, or recyclers, a bad name.
When selecting new materials for building a home, be sure to consider how and where items were made. Does the manufacturer have environmentally sound principles? Do they use recycled materials? Do they recycle their postindustrial materials? Using locally produced materials eliminates the waste created by transporting the items long distances. This not only reduces the need to use fossil fuels—it also reduces the impacts of manufacturing and using petroleum products.
Harnessing power from nature and reducing energy usage may make it possible to get off the power grid. From solar to wind and other alternatives, there is a variety of renewable energy options available for keeping lights bright, food cold, and temperature just right whether your home is on or off the power grid.
One of the aspects of supplying your own power is how the system will be connected to the grid or electrical network. The national power grid is a network of transmission and distribution systems owned by public companies or investor-owned utilities and cooperatives. Utilities and cooperatives buy and sell power to each other depending on the demand and availability. The network tries to provide redundancy; that means, if there is a problem somewhere in the grid, operations can be rerouted and service can be more easily restored.
If you are generating your own electricity through alternate means, working with your local power company may give you the option of selling excess energy you may produce. You will need to track your electricity usage; your local power provider can tell you what kind of meter you need to install. Another alternative is to bank excess power. Rather than giving excess power back to the utility, the homeowner uses it to charge batteries. When the home system is unable to generate electricity, the power stored in the batteries can be accessed.
These options allow homeowners to operate independently from the grid when generating their own power. When the grid is down, a home system may continue to operate.
When it comes to producing energy for your home, solar power is a great alternative. Solar energy is produced when the sun shines on photovoltaic (PV) panels. These panels hold semiconductors that use the sunlight to generate electricity in the form of direct current (DC) electricity.
Panels are usually mounted on the roof, on steel poles, or on the ground. Local regulations or neighborhood covenants may dictate the location of solar panels. Mounting the panels on the roof requires using the proper supports. It may be necessary to reinforce the roof support to maintain safety and to be in compliance with local building codes.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has information for homeowners on renewable alternatives. Readers can check out A Consumer’s Guide: Get Your Power from the Sun at www.nrel.gov/docs/fy04osti/35297.pdf.
While most suburban neighborhoods won’t allow the space necessary, depending on where you live, wind can provide the means of powering your house. Maps indicating wind energy potential are available to determine whether homes you are considering are located within an area where wind power would be an effective method of providing power. The website www.energy.gov/eere/office-energy-efficiency-renewable-energy lists wind conditions by state, allowing homeowners in the US to determine if wind power is a suitable alternative for generating their own energy.
What we need most can often be equally confusing. The EPA rates heating and cooling systems using the Energy Star logo to symbolize systems that are more efficient and use less energy, and most utility companies will reward your choice by means of a rebate check. Usually these systems are quieter and have longer lives, reducing equipment waste. Equipment eligible to receive the Energy Star symbol includes boilers, furnaces, heat pumps, programmable thermostats, and air conditioners.
The US Department of Energy reports that approximately 45 percent of the average utility bill goes to heating and cooling a home. Heating and cooling dwellings in the United States is responsible for producing 150 million tons of carbon dioxide annually.
Selecting the correct size system for your weather extremes and living space and choosing an efficient model are crucial ways to save energy. Frequently cleaning filters, checking ducts for leaks, and installing programmable thermostats to adjust the times the house is heated and cooled throughout the day will save on equipment wear and tear, and also on fuel costs. Installing a whole-house fan that pulls cool air in and releases warm air through the attic is another effective measure.