tips building green

8/3/2019 Tips Building Green

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Tips For Building GREEN

Wouldn't it be great to own ahome that was healthier than the average residence? What ifit was also extremely energy efficient, reduced pollution, and conserved natural

resources? Then you would have what Sage Homebuilders calls a "High Performance

Home."

This St. Louis-based company is dedicated to building custom, Green-certified homes.

"The green revolution is a very important one; it is creating environmental awareness andencouraging social responsibility," says Seth Teel, Development Analyst for Sage

Homebuilders.

By conserving energy and reducing production of materials, green homes help conserve

the Earth's natural resources. And with superior insulation and air purification systems,

these homes are healthier for the residents. In addition, they save homeowners anabundance of money in utilities and are a more solid investment.

Because the green movement has grown so much, it has become hard to decipher what

products are truly green. Sage Homebuilders has madebuilding greena simpler task bycalling out the Top 10 elements to incorporate into all new home construction.

1) PEX PLUMBING COMPONENTS:

Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) tubing is used to run hot and cold plumbing lines. It is a

viable alternative to PVC or copper materials and aids in the Green movement in anumber of ways. First, PEX's flexible nature virtually eliminates the need for elbowjoints, drastically reducing piping cost and material use. Also, because of the way PEX is

created, it works extremely well under both hot and cold temperatures, resisting chemical

attack and creep deformation. Because of this factor, PEX has a lifeline of anywhere from

50 to 200 years.
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2) BLOWN-IN CELLULOSE INSULATION:

Cellulose insulation provides a significant advantage over traditional fiberglass insulationpanels for a number of reasons. Cellulose insulation is comprised of 80% recycled

newsprint and other waste paper products such as cardboard. Utilizing used resources

reduces the economic impact of creating insulation. Also, blown-in insulation ensuresevery cavity will be completely sealed, reducing air filtration in and out, as well as

reducing sound transmission. This will drastically cut your energy usage. Another benefit

to cellulose insulation is that it does not contain formaldehyde-based binders found infiberglass, and uses low-toxicity chemical additives to resist fire, insects and mold.

3) FSC CERTIFIED WOOD & BAMBOO:

Bamboo flooring provides an

exceptional alternative to

traditional hardwood and is usedin Green-certified homes such

as this one created by Sage

Homebuilders.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a non-profit organization that encourages the

responsible management of forests. It uses a third-party certification program to ensurethat building materials and paper products come from "well-managed forests in an


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environmentally responsible, socially beneficial, and economically viable way." FSC

products carry a certification label and can be found at national retailers such as Lowe's.

For more information, visit fsc.org. In addition, bamboo, which is technically not a woodbut a grass, can be used in place of hardwood forflooring,countertops, wall coverings,

etc. Because bamboo matures fast and regenerates without replanting, it is a rapidly

renewable material. It also requires minimal fertilization and pesticides and is extremelyhard and durable.

4) LOW / NO VOC PAINTS & WATER-BASED

STAINS:

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are the solvents in paint and stains that evaporatereadily at room temperature and give off the smell generally associated with paint

products which is bad for people and the environment. Even after the paint has dried

and the smell has faded, VOCs will continue to release toxins, leading to poor indoor airquality. Many paint companies on the market today are recognizing their social

responsibility and creating low- or zero-VOC paints, including Sherwin-Williams and

YOLO Colorhouse (www.yolocolorhouse.com). Water-based stains are also availableand are a great alternative to the traditional, extremely toxic, stains. They contain low or

zero VOCs, go on with ease, and provide a natural finish.
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5) ENERGY STAR RATED APPLIANCES:

Photo above courtesy of Bosch: All

Bosch washers, refrigerators and

dishwashers are Energy Star

certified.

ENERGY STAR is a program through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency andthe U.S. Department of Energy that helps identify and promote energy-efficient products

and practices. The signifying blue Energy Star label covers more than 50 product

categories, including majorappliances, home electronics and lighting. These productsmeet strict energy efficiency guidelines and use substantially less energy for heating,

cooling and water delivery. They drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and

therefore create less air pollution, protecting the environment. They also save consumers

an abundance of money by operating more efficiently, reducing the average yearly utilitybill by as much as 30%. Visit energystar.gov for more information.

6) GEOTHERMAL HEATING:

A geothermal heating system uses Earth's ability to store heat in the ground. Just a few

feet below the surface, the ground will stay an annual average temperature of 50-70degrees Fahrenheit depending on the local climate. Using a heat pump, heat is moved

from the ground to the house in the winter and then removed from the house and put back

into the ground in the summer. This method differs from a conventional furnace bytransferring heat rather than producing heat. Geothermal systems are extremely

environmentally friendly because they create little to no air pollution and are a renewable

energy source. Although these systems do cost 2-3 times more than conventionalsystems, homeowners will save money in the long run, seeing anywhere from 30-70%

annual utility savings. Also, these systems are more durable, require little maintenanceand have a longer lifespan than conventional methods.
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7) AIR FILTRATION DEVICES:The EPA estimates that indoor air is more polluted than outdoor air, and that families

spend the majority of their time indoors. Because of this, the air filtration device used in

your home is central to you and your family's health. Your body has its own filtrationdevice, but many particles in the air, including allergens, are so small they are able to get

into your lungs and cause illnesses, especially for allergy and asthma sufferers. In steps

your home's filtration device. Many filters forHVAC units on the market today arecreated to clean these smaller particles from the air, trapping even the tiniest allergens

with greater efficiency than the standard 1" thick filters. One such unit is the TRANE

CleanEffects system that claims to remove 99.98% of airborne particles from your

home. And not only do these filters offer a healthier home, they also reduceenvironmental waste because the filters do not need to be discarded and replaced like

standard filters do. This, and the payoff for a cleaner indoor air quality, offsets the

minimal amount of ozone these filters release into the environment. For moreinformation, please visit toolbase.organd trane.com.
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8) TANKLESS WATER HEATERS:

In addition to conserving energy

and money, tankless water

heaters save up to 90% space

versus traditional tank heaters.

Photo courtesy of Sage

Homebuilders.

Traditional tank water heaters continuously heat the water they hold, 24 hours every day,

whether you're needing hot water or not. This is an abundant waste of energy and money.

Tankless water heaters provide a much more efficient option by heating water only as it

is needed. The water is heated quickly and delivered at a steady rate for as long as it isneeded, and the heater shuts off automatically when the supply is closed. Tankless water

heaters are also extremely compact when compared to tank heaters, as they can be wall-

mounted whereas tanks can require up to 16 square feet of floor space. Several types andsizes of tankless water heaters are available on the market today. It is essential to find one

that will be able to withstand your home's demands, depending on the size of your home

and family. "Whole House" types are available, or you can install two or more separateunits to handle different appliances if necessary. For more information on the energy

savings and usage guidelines, visittanklesswaterheaterguide.com
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9) DUAL-FLUSH TOILETS:

The Aquia Dual Flush Toiletfrom Totowill significantly

reduce the amount of water

your home uses.

American homes are notorious for wasting water. It seems not much thought is given to

leaving the water running while brushing your teeth or taking an hour-long shower.However, with the eco-friendly trends of today, our wastefulness is becoming more

apparent. One product set to combat this is the dual-flush toilet. These designs look and

act like standard toilets but are able to reduce water consumption by providing the right

amount of water for the specific task. Clearly, liquids (#1) need less water to flush thansolids (#2). Therefore, these toilets incorporate one button for a #1 flush that uses

approximately 0.9 gallons of water, and one button for a #2 flush that uses the standard

1.6 gallons of water. Since the majority of bathroom visits are for #1, dual flush toilets

can reduce a family's annual water consumption as much as 60%.


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10) RECYCLED GLASS COUNTERTOPS:

This countertop is made exclusively from recycled glass from EnviroGLAS and was

designed for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Photo courtesy of

enviroglasproducts.com.

Beautiful, durable and environmentally friendly. What's more to ask for? Several

companies committed to a sustainable environment, includingIceStone,EnviroGLAS, andVetrazzo, are producing household necessities made completely ofrecycled glass. Discarded glass from windshields, bottles, plate windows, etc. are turned

into stunning, functional pieces that can be used as flooring, tiling, countertops,

backsplashes, vanities, fireplace surrounds, etc. Available in every sparkling colorimaginable, using recycled glass countertops has a huge advantage over granite and

marble because the material does not need to be quarried, is less porous, highly heat

resilient and does not need to be resealed. Also, they generally contain no VOCs. In agreen home, it doesn't get much better than incorporating a once wasted consumer

product and putting it to a brilliant use again.
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