JULY 30, 2009 ISSUE
everGREEN Tips
Building Design #2: Conflicts in GREEN Goals
In my last everGREEN tip, I shared a list of possible green goals for a building that included energy efficient, healthy and safe, durable, water efficient, space efficient, environmentally responsible and sustainable community. I also suggested programs that could give you suggestions for green building design, construction and operation that included Energy Star, N.C. HealthyBuilt Homes and LEED. As you learn about green building, you will find that sometimes the intents of one goal conflict with another, and you have to be able to decide which is more important for your situation.
A skylight is a great example. Many folks want lots of skylights for the great natural light that they will provide. But the natural light benefits can be greatly outweighed by the hit to your heating and air conditioning systems. A skylight may have an R-value of 3 or so. In our area, the roof should be insulated to at least R-38. Since heat rises, it heads up to the ceiling and leaves your house through the giant hole in your insulation that is the skylight. This causes your heat system to work harder and costs you more money. Skylights let in heat as well as light, which is okay in winter, but since horizontal skylight glass is difficult to shade effectively, it can lead to overheating in the summer causing your house to be uncomfortable or your AC to work harder. A better choice may be to design your house with proper solar orientation and well placed rooms, and then size overhangs or other shading devices for regular vertical windows. You can gain heat in winter when you want it and shade your windows from the heat of the summer sun while having lots of natural light year round.
When choosing green products for your house, you may need to look at multiple factors. Has the really beautiful, durable, natural granite countertop you want been shipped here on a boat from Italy? Bamboo flooring is considered green because it is a rapidly renewable and can be harvested every five to seven years instead of every 15 to 100 years like many tree woods. However, most bamboo products are shipped all the way from China consuming lots of fuel in the process. Most bamboo products are laminated and contain glues or other chemicals that may or may not fit with your green goals for indoor air quality. Perhaps there are alternatives that are just as beautiful and durable but more locally available. You could support a local artisan/builder by having them make you a concrete countertop using pebbles from the New River, or you could have the trees from your lot logged and milled to use for wood flooring, ceilings or trim in your own house.
When you decide to build or renovate, many decisions will need to be made about location, size, design, materials, features, systems and how all these parts work together. Professionals with experience in green design and construction can help you determine how to achieve your goals for the best possible place for you to live or work.
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