Green Building
Green building means building in a way that is better for our health and better for our planet.
I believe in a balanced approach to Green Construction. I keep up with the latest materials and building techniques. I will help you consider your options to select the best building materials and construction techniques for your personal situation. I offer each homeowner building choices that are safer for you and less harmful to the environment.
Green products are often safer to work with and safer to live with. Green construction can improve indoor air quality. Most conventional building materials, cleaning and maintenance products emit gases, microbial contaminants and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including formaldehyde long after construction is complete. I can help you choose construction materials and interior finish products with zero or low VOC emissions. This is especially important for your pets...MORE...>
Insulating and sealing your home will reduce moisture problems and control water intrusion, moisture and dampness that leads mold, bacteria and viruses, dust mites and other issues.
Some building choices increase the energy efficiency of your home. Many of these cost little or no more than more conventional techniques, yet result in a more energy efficient home, saving money.
I use more energy efficient and environmentally friendly construction practices.
During construction, where possible, anything removed will be donated, recycled or reused.
I work hard to create less waste during construction. I am not wasteful with materials. Less waste reduces the amount of materials going into landfills. This saves you money, since the landfill charges to accept waste.
Green building doesn’t just mean that you have to start over. Regular repair and maintenance lets your home last longer. And you can feel good about that! Good maintenance means less ends up in the land fill. It’s green to take care of what you have.
A Green home or office:
Costs less to operate.
It uses electricity, gas, water and other natural resources more efficiently.
High-efficiency windows and insulation in walls, ceilings, and floors help keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Cost less to maintain.
Green means using products and materials that last longer, saving money in costly repairing and replacing.
Less waste, less pollution.
Is safer and healthier.
Improved indoor air quality:
Insulating and sealing your home will reduce moisture problems.
Control water intrusion, moisture and dampness that leads mold, bacteria and viruses, dust mites and other issues.
Adequate ventilation is necessary to eliminate moisture from cooking, bathing, cleaning, and just breathing. Adequate ventilation of cleaner air from outdoors or recirculated filtered inside air.
Natural wood floors and other smooth surfaces improve air quality, reduce dust and other particulates and trapping fewer allergens, bacteria, and dust mites.
More fresh air and natural light
Good ventilation to release hot air, moisture, and odors while admitting natural light.
Green building products are safer.
Choose construction materials and interior finish products with zero or low VOC emissions. Most conventional building materials, cleaning and maintenance products emit gases, microbial contaminants and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including formaldehyde.
Remodeling for Allergies & Asthma >
Reduces pollution.
Materials that last longer do not have to be replaced, ending up in our landfills.
More energy efficient homes reduce pollution from energy production.
Increases property value
A Green home has a higher appraised value and sells faster, even in this economy.
A Green home rents faster and for higher rent.
Cost and payoff
It might cost a little more to build green, but as electricity and other energy is sure to get more and more expensive, the initial investment pays you back over the life of your home. Studies have shown that the right investment can pay you back $10 for every dollar spent over the life of your home.
It may seem to save money to skimp on insulation, windows or other energy efficient features, but it leaves you with a home that has higher utility bills until you upgrade to what you ought to have bought in the first place.
"The Costs and Financial Benefits of Green Buildings - A Report to California’s Sustainable Building Task Force," developed for the Sustainable Building Task Force study of the cost benefit analysis of green building, states:
"While the environmental and human health benefits of green building have been widely recognized, this comprehensive report confirms that minimal increases in upfront costs of about 2% to support green design would, on average, result in life cycle savings of 20% of total construction costs."
LEED
The LEED Green building rating system awards credits for achievement in
environmental performance.
LEED awards credits for location and maintenance of building site, conservation
of water, energy, and building materials, and occupant comfort and health.
The Costs and Financial Benefits of Green Buildings
A Report to California’s
Sustainable Building Task Force
www.usgbc.org/Docs/Resources/CA_report_GBbenefits.pdf
PDF will open in a new window.
This study, The Costs and Financial Benefits of Green Building, represents the most definitive cost benefit analysis of green building ever conducted. It demonstrates conclusively that sustainable building is a cost-effective investment, and its findings should encourage communities across the country to "build green."