Why are so many people now building green? Every day, were becoming more and more aware of the effect human beings have on our environment-- and on our entire planet. Most of us dont like to think that our homes and lifestyles do significant damage. After all, were just trying to raise our families and live our lives, right? Unfortunately, they do. Because of this, its important for homeowners and builders to be knowledgeable about building green (or "sustainable design"). Building green refers to the concept of designing and constructing long-term sustainable buildings that have the lowest possible negative impact on the environment. To do this, green builders must be efficient in the use of resources and use fewer environmentally harmful processes and building materials than traditional builders. How well does this work? USGBC has published data to confirm that building green uses 35% less energy, far fewer non-renewable materials, and less landfill space for waste. As a bonus, building green makes our homes and offices safer, healthier places. What are the Main Considerations when Building Green? When building green, the mail goal is to maintain a high quality of life while lowering the impact a home has on the environment. Green designers keep the following concerns in mind when designing green buildings: Energy Efficiency. This is one of the main ones. As theyre being built, green buildings should use processes and products which require less energy. A green building should also have a high energy efficiency in the long term, integrating design features like comprehensive insulation and "passive solar design," which supplies thermal protection to a home. When building green, many designers also include a renewable independent energy source to power (or partially power) the home. A renewable energy source (like solar power) can make a significant difference in a homes impact on the environment Home "Shape" and Design. The size, site, and shape of a home have a large effect on its energy efficiency. Simple home shapes (with less outside surface area) are the most common used in building green. Another common technique used in building green is Optimum Value Engineering, or OVE. OVE is a framing technique that uses a less wood than traditional framing. It also allows more space within the walls for extra insulation. Materials with Lower Environmental Impact. When building green, builders use materials which are both non toxic and produced using recycled or sustainable materials. Any materials used in building green should require less energy to produce and process than conventional materials. Long-Term Durability. Quality building materials will need to be replaced less frequently. This both reduces waste and lowers the environmental impact of creating replacement materials.
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