Green Building Construction Goes Mainstream: Sustainable Materials and Green Home Design

Green Building Construction
Goes Mainstream:
Sustainable Materials and Green Home Design

For more information on Green Home Design or
Applied Building Science, visit http:www.csgrp.com

About Conservation Services Group
Conservation Services Group is the market leader in residential energy
efficiency in North America. Headquartered in Westborough, MA, the
company has improved the efficiency, safety, comfort, affordability and
durability of more than two million homes since 1984.

With proven, award‐winning expertise in residential energy efficiency
program delivery, CSG provides solutions with a long‐term vision that
incorporates the latest and most comprehensive program designs and energy‐
efficiency technologies for a sustainable industry.

For more information, visit http://www.csgrp.com.

Green Building Construction

Imagine dozens of scientists, scores of designers
and architects, hundreds of mechanical
engineers, and thousands of other professionals,
all joining efforts in a vast workshop where
better ways of human dwelling are forged.
Not a mere fantasy, this describes the growing
movement toward green and healthy home
design.
For more information on Green Construction or

Building Green Homes

Even if you haven’t thought much about the
sustainable aspects of your home environment,
this topic is getting hotter every day.
More than a series of add‐on features, green
building construction is a holistic way of
designing and looking at design.

For more information on Green Building Construction or

Green Home Construction

Everything from the smallest item—a light bulb
—to the largest—your entire house and the lot it
is built on—is a candidate for green design.
Increasingly, people are demanding low‐energy,
resource‐efficient green homes.


Green Construction: Benefits to You

Where do durability, increased comfort, better
value, aesthetics, and safety and health benefits
intersect? Green home design.
Whether building new or remodeling your
existing home, you will want to incorporate
proven technologies that lead to high
performance home environments.

Trends in Green Home Construction

Consider these five ideas when consulting with
your architect, designer or builder:
1. Use the “House System” Approach
2. Demand a Tightly Built House
3. Green Homes Manage Water Well
4. Select Green Building Materials
5. Choose Green Equipment

1. Use the “House System” Approach

The components of your home environment—
including building structure, materials,
mechanical systems, occupants, and outdoor
weather—interact in complex ways.
Make sure your design team looks at the
individual parts as related to the whole.

For more information on Green Houses or

Questions to Ask about Green Homes:

• Where are the boundaries of the thermal
envelope?
• Are the heating and cooling systems correctly
sized for the house?
• How is the house oriented on its site?
If your home is designed to be mold‐resistant,
comfortable, and healthy, it will be energy‐
efficient as well.
For more information on Green Construction or Applied Building Science, visit http:www.csgrp.com

2. Demand a Tightly Built House

A common myth is that mold is caused by well‐
insulated houses. This is often expressed as “a
house needs to breathe.”
Given the prevalence of indoor air quality issues,
it is essential to understand that a house cannot
be too tight; however, it can be under‐
ventilated.
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Ventilation is achieved by various mechanical
systems, ranging from high‐performance exhaust
fans in kitchen and bath areas to whole‐house
heat recovery or energy recovery ventilation
systems.
With a house that is insulated well and tightly
sealed, you’ll require a smaller, less expensive
HVAC system. You will also enjoy a quieter, more
comfortable home with lower energy bills.


3. Green Homes Manage Water Well

Water is like fresh air: you want to control
precisely its location and amount.
Foundation details, drainage planes, runoff
channels, window and door flashing, and
attention to materials combine with xeriscaping
(water conservation through landscaping) and
low‐flow fixtures for a completely updated
approach to water management.
For more information on Green Buildings or

4. Select Green Building Materials

From the ground up, excellent green building
supply choices abound.
Options include:
‐green‐certified lumber and salvaged wood
‐recycled composite decking and flooring;
recycled‐content tile and carpeting


Select Green Building Materials

Proven alternatives to stick‐frame construction
—structural insulated panels and insulating
concrete forms are among the best for our
climate—are high‐performance options.
You’ll also want to reduce exposure to toxic
substances and indoor pollutants by selecting
interior and finish materials wisely.

5. Choose Green Equipment

• Install the most energy efficient water heating,
HVAC, appliances, and lighting.
• Space heating and cooling alone accounts for
nearly half of all home energy use, so it’s an
important decision.
• Water heating is typically the second largest
user of energy in homes.

Choose Green Equipment

• Explore your options, including solar thermal
which can heat water and air efficiently in
residential homes.
• Be aware that dishwashers and clothes
washers and dryers are among the most
energy‐intensive home appliances.


Green Home Trends: Renovate/Remodel
Greener technologies and procedures yield proven
results in renovations and remodeling as well:
1. Recycle Your Home’s Waste
2. Use Healthy Building Materials
3. Upgrade to Energy Efficient Windows
4. Choose Energy Efficient Lighting
5. Increase Your Building Shell Performance


1. Recycle Your Home’s Waste

Demolition and construction waste can comprise
more than thirty percent of landfill content. The
vast majority of this material is recyclable.
In some parts of the United States, waste
recycling plans must be in place before a building
permit is granted. Salvage and deconstruction
can save you money on disposal costs as well as
providing a tax deduction.
For more information on Green Homes or

2. Use Healthy Building Materials
The air you breathe can change your life. For
interiors, low‐VOC (volatile organic compound)
paints and finishes rank first in a long list of
healthy materials choices that are beautiful as
well as functional.
Recommended green materials also include
glazed ceramic tile; solid wood furniture and
cabinetry from sustainable resources; and
linoleum, bamboo, and cork floor coverings.

3. Upgrade to Energy Efficient Windows
If replacing windows anyway, upgrading makes a
lot of sense.
A great choice for efficient windows is low‐e,
double‐pane with the lowest available U‐factor.
Sash or window insert replacements and
insulating blinds or shades are additional ways to
improve a window’s energy efficiency.


4. Choose Green Lighting Options

When choosing new energy efficient light
fixtures, many designs are available to meet your
needs and use much less electricity than in years
past.
Design with all factors in mind, including a
room’s uses and characteristics.


Take advantage of occupancy sensor technology,
and install LED or compact fluorescent (CFL)
bulbs—CFLs last up to thirteen times longer than
incandescents, and use about a quarter the
electricity.
The new generation of CFLs include a range of
colors closely matching those of traditional
bulbs. LED lighting offers longevity as well as
efficiency.

5. Increase Your Building Shell
Performance
While remodeling, assess and improve the
quality of your building shell—the components
of your house that keep warm air from escaping
in winter (and cool air in summer).
Are there areas that can be air‐sealed to prevent
drafts? Can insulation be added to exterior walls
or attic? Consult with a professional for a
thorough diagnostic assessment.

Green Construction

With green technology, your home will be more
comfortable and energy efficient, have a higher
value, and help protect the environment.
Talk to your contractor about green methods
and materials for your next build or remodel.


Green Building Construction Goes Mainstream: Sustainable Materials and Green Home Design

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