Building Green Homes - Not Just For Tree Huggers

Building "Green" from the ground up
Remodeling an older home into a "green" home
"Green” homes are not just for tree huggers 

Building “Green“ From the Ground Up

"Green" homes may look the same as "regular" homes on the outside, but overall they consume less energy, create less waste, pollute less, and use fewer toxic materials. There are several things that can be done when building a healthier, environmentally friendly home:

• Some "green" homes are built from the ground up. It is important that the land chosen for the home is clean so that contaminants do not leach into the home after it is built.

• After choosing the proper site, the foundation is very important. If the foundation is not constructed properly, moisture can seep in. In addition, in some areas radon may enter through the foundation. Make sure there is a drainage system to keep water from collecting next to the foundation, and that construction techniques are used to minimize radon migration into the home.

• When building a home, plan on a detached garage so pollutants do not enter the rest of the house. Have a breezeway connecting the house and garage.

• Many green homes use recycled building materials. Materials with recycled contents have three advantages:

  1. They require less natural resource

  2. They use materials that would otherwise end up end the solid waste stream

  3. They use less energy during manufacturing.[1]
     
     One building material made of recycled plastic is plastic-infused lumber, which has been used to build things like decks for homes. Unlike pressure-treated lumber, it does not contain chemicals that might leach into the ground. In addition, choose other materials that do not off-gas such as granite countertops.

• An air/vapor retarder should be used to line the interior shell of the house to reduce air leakage and prevent warm moist air from condensing in the walls and causing mold and structural problems. This also helps save on energy.

• Choose an appropriate ventilation system that is the right size for the home and provides a fresh change of air every three hours. The ventilation system can also include humidification systems to humidify dry air in the winter and dehumidification systems to remove excess humidity in the air in the summer. Dehumidifiers reduce the amount of air-conditioning needed and can pay for themselves in eight to nine years. Humidity levels should be kept between 40 percent and 60 percent. If central humidification systems are used, they must be watched and cleaned meticulously. Water leakage and build up in the ventilation ducts will rapidly result in mold that can infiltrate the home. It is preferable to use stand-alone humidifiers that are easily accessible and cleanable. Ventilation systems can also include electronic air cleaners and high efficiency air filtration. Those that generate ozone should not be used. Ozone is a strong lung irritant, and should not be added to the indoor environment.

• Choose appliances that do not add combustion gases to the air when operating such as carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and oxides of nitrogen and sulfur. Some appliances may have insulation materials that can outgas chemicals when they become hot.

• Make sure that any gas appliances have their own exhaust fans to the outside.

• Have a central vacuum system installed that filters its exhaust and vents it outside. If other vacuums are used, only use those with high efficiency particle air (HEPA) filtration.

• Because of various electrical appliances in bedrooms, some scientists say that people sleep with a body voltage 30 to 60 times higher than what is normally found in nature and this can cause insomnia, sore muscles, anxiety, chronic fatigue, and possible cancer. One way to reduce radiation from electromagnetic fields (EMFs) in healthy homes is to install metal-clad (MC) electrical cable throughout the house. Some houses place cutoff switches in all the bedrooms so that electricity could be entirely shut off at night.[2]

• Have airtight electrical outlets and openings for plumbing pipes and fixtures.

• Select environmentally friendly, low-emitting furnishings and building materials with low levels of VOCs and formaldehyde. Many materials such as paints, flooring, carpets, insulations, wallcoverings, and glues are available. By paying attention to the overall environment, the indoor air environment also improves.

• Select furniture that does not emit formaldehyde. Many home furniture products and cabinets are made with pressed wood using adhesives that contain urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins. To reduce these emissions, green homes choose options that do not off-gas such as solid wood cabinets or solid-wood furniture with a natural finish like shellac, linseed oil or beeswax that is more environmentally friendly. An advantage of solid wood over brass is that brass and other metals can act as an antenna that can create EMFs around the bed.[3] One furniture maker in Britain uses ash thinnings (young trees that usually go to waste or are used as firewood since they are cleared to allow light to reach the main body of trees) from locally grown sustainable forests to make furniture such as chairs and sofas. These are then steam bent, which saves energy by eliminating the need for kiln drying. This also strengthens the wood.[4] Also, do not choose furniture that collects dust easily. One "green" home used tables made of matte-finish iron and polished stone and upholstery made of natural fibers such as 100 percent organic wool, cotton, and silk.[5]

Remodeling an Older Home Into a "Green" Home

Some older homes are remodeled into green homes. Here are a few features found in a 92-year old home in Wallingford, Washington that was transformed into a green home:[6]

• Visitors are required to remove their shoes when they enter so that they do not track pesticides and other contaminants in from the outside

• The water is filtered

• The wood floors are treated with a nontoxic, low-emitting, water-based finish

• The fireplace is so efficient and clean it can be used during burn bans

• The fireplace is surrounded by tiles made of recycled dark green glass

• The mantle above the fireplace is made of solid, certified cherry wood so it comes from a sustainable forest that meets certain criteria, like no clear cuts

• Double-paned windows

• More insulation

• More efficient furnaces and hot-water tanks

This particular home is certified by the Northwest EcoBuilding Guild whose goal has been to set up a program in which builders who meet certain standards can have their houses certified, which may increase their appeal, along with their cost (a healthy house can cost 5 percent to 10 percent more, although much of that is recouped in energy savings).

"Green" Homes Are Not Just For Tree-Huggers

According to Professional Builder magazine's 1997 Consumer Survey, 66 percent of today's buyers want healthy homes. Therefore, it is not only those who are environmentally conscious who are opting for "green" homes; but these suggestions are for anyone who wants a healthier living space. This is especially important for those who are chemically sensitive, or who have severe allergies or asthma. For example, some individuals have acute chemical sensitivity to the small quantities of chemicals that off-gas from nearly all common insulation materials. The binders used in conventional insulation, such as inks from the recycled newspaper in cellulose, and VOCs released from foam insulation, are examples of such off-gassing. For these people, there are low-emitting products available with minimal chemical emissions and odors.

In addition to being healthier, "green" homes can also save money in the long run by saving energy. Saving energy also helps reduce pollution. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is asking people to consider another way of saving energy: buy energy saving products that have the Energy Star label on them. These products include refrigerators, insulation, light bulbs, air-conditioners, windows, computers, televisions, and many others. For a list of products that have earned the EPA Energy Star label, go to www.energystar.gov. In addition, some states have certification programs for energy-efficient homes. For example, Colorado has their Energy Rated Homes (E-Star) program. More information can be found at their website at www.e-star.com.

References

1. Insulation materials: Environmental comparisons. Environmental Builders News. 1995 Jan/Feb;4(1).

2. Templeton F. A Healthy House. Country Living. June 1996;66-72.

3. Moran V. Bedroom of your dreams. Vegetarian Times. 2000 June:64-70.

4. Silver RS. Studio executive expands green office furniture line. Interior Design Magazine, UK. 2000 June:37.

5. Nolan WL, Boehm J. Remodeling for a healthy home. Better Homes and Gardens. May 1996 .

6. Kossen B. A green and growing trend. The Seattle Times. March 25, 2000:E1.