| We use the term "The High Performance Home" | | | | businesses. |
| in our business as do many builders today. | | | | Quite simply, green building is an effort to develop |
| Unfortunately, it means different things to each | | | | more energy-efficient, healthier and |
| company. So I thought it might be worthwhile to | | | | environmentally-responsible buildings. Strategies |
| try to define the term as I see it and to give it | | | | used by todays green building practitioners look at |
| relevance against the rising concerns of "Global | | | | every phase of the construction and operation of |
| Warming." | | | | buildings, whether they are focused on indoor air |
| First, is there such a thing as Global Warming? I | | | | quality or waste reduction. |
| liked the response given by architect Marilyn Miller | | | | By incorporating various green building principles |
| Farmer, AIA, LEED A.P. Director, Green Building | | | | into a structure, the average home or business |
| Pages, Inc. in her interview in the April issue of | | | | can save as much as 50 percent on their utility |
| the online magazine Streetscapes, a publication of | | | | costs according to the U.S. Department of Energy. |
| the James Hardie Company; | | | | The benefits don't end there though, as green |
| Question: | | | | building also benefits society at large by reducing |
| How would you answer skeptics who dismiss | | | | the environmental impact of a structure. |
| global warming as a myth, or green building as a | | | | For example, according to the Department of |
| fad? | | | | Energy, if just one in 10 households incorporated |
| Ms Miller: | | | | energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, we |
| "I would suggest that anyone dismissing global | | | | could prevent more than 17 billion pounds of air |
| warming today is not observing the writing all | | | | pollution - which is equivalent to removing more |
| over the walls. Start with the weather patterns, | | | | than 250,000 cars from the road. In addition, |
| the bottled water that has replaced use of tap | | | | green buildings require less maintenance and repair, |
| water for drinking, the lack of available resources, | | | | reduce short- and long-term costs, promote |
| the diminishing food supplies, the state of our | | | | health among occupants and improve worker |
| oceans and rivers, the diminishing number of | | | | satisfaction." |
| species, the dislocation of growing numbers of | | | | OK, so here's what I'm going with. A High |
| people, the global issues and disputes over use of | | | | Performance Homes is one that uses sustainable |
| available resources, all of which can be traced | | | | materials, is energy efficient, and uses value |
| back to our growing populations and the incredible | | | | added green building practice that causes it to be |
| stress we are placing on the environmental | | | | friendlier to the environment. |
| systems that have supported all species, including | | | | The benefits to owners of HPH are: |
| us". | | | | - More Comfortable and Quieter- Tight |
| I believe she hit the nail on the head. Additionally, | | | | construction, better windows, and improved |
| on a widely distributed news piece several | | | | insulation ensure consistent temperatures and |
| scientists quit couching their words and came out | | | | keep out excessive noise. |
| and warned that global warming was happening | | | | - Lower Maintenance- Enjoy the peace of mind |
| (see ABC World News report 4/6/2007). | | | | that comes with a low maintenance home. Tight |
| So what's to be done about this? Let's get back | | | | construction and long lasting, efficient equipment |
| to High Performance Homes (HPH). Can the | | | | make these homes more durable, helping to |
| definition and building of high performance homes | | | | minimize many of the maintenance problems |
| be part of the solution to global warming? What if | | | | found in typical homes. |
| an HPH used less energy, was safer, healthier and | | | | - Healthier and Safer- Your family will breathe |
| more comfortable to live in, was made of | | | | easier in a tightly constructed and proper |
| sustainable materials and had a lower overall | | | | ventilated home that works to reduce dust, |
| impact on the environment. | | | | pollen, and pests. |
| This from The Green Building Initiative, | | | | - More Energy and Resource Efficient- Lower |
| "With rising utility costs dominating recent | | | | utility bills and the good feeling that you are doing |
| headlines, many Americans are looking for ways | | | | something to help fight global warming |
| to trim their monthly bills by making their homes | | | | In my next article we will explore some of |
| and businesses more energy-efficient. One way | | | | materials and practices in "Windows, Insulation and |
| to accomplish this is to implement "green building" | | | | Doors, Oh My! |
| principles into the construction of homes and | | | | |