Summary Points for Green Building and Remodeling

Provided by Todd Hall Construction
www.toddhallconstruction.com
As you embark on your building or remodeling project, consider going green; it’s better for your health, inspires high-performance energy-efficiency and is better for the environment. We’ve compiled this information to support homeowners in understanding the stages of green construction and green product options currently available. We’ll continue to build this information so check back regularly.

Keep in mind that an all-or-nothing approach to building green is not always practical and based on budgetary considerations, homeowners should choose those strategies that reap the highest return-on-investment and provide minimal impact on the environment.

For ease of use, we’ve structured this post into three sections:
1.) Demolition and Debris
2.) Materials
3.) Energy

1. Demolition and Debris:
Your General Contractor should handle debris removal. General guidelines, supporting associations, and a directory of providers are included below.

Associations: http://www.ubma.org/

Debris Recycling Providers:
http://www.toddhallconstruction.com/greenguidetorecycling.html

Recker and Boerger: recycles old furnaces and AC units: 513-942-ZONE (9663).

2. Materials:

Appliances:
For details on what to consider when buying…
Air Purifiers see http://www.toddhallconstruction.com/greenguidetoappliances.html

Central Air see http://www.toddhallconstruction.com/greenguidetoappliances.html

Room Air Conditioners see http://www.toddhallconstruction.com/greenguidetoappliances.html

Dishwashers see http://www.toddhallconstruction.com/greenguidetoappliances.html

Refrigerators see http://www.toddhallconstruction.com/greenguidetoappliances.html

Washing Machines see http://www.toddhallconstruction.com/greenguidetoappliances.html

Water Heaters see http://www.toddhallconstruction.com/greenguidetoappliances.html

Construction Considerations:
- Maximize your site’s natural topography to reduce drainage and grading costs.
- Design with passive solar gain in mind.
- Modify your exterior elevations to reflect the lots orientation and maximize energy efficiency.
- Consider radiant reflective roofing materials to keep your house cool and energy costs down.
- Use house wrap to create a tight envelope.
- Strategically placed windows and a corresponding thermal mass, such as a tile floor or brick fireplace will enable passive solar heat and lighten the load on the home’s mechanical heating system.
- Advanced framing methods further reduce the amount of lumber (and thus forest resources) needed for the structure while creating wider cavities for insulation. In turn, the use of blown-in, recycled content cellulose in the walls and ceiling or attic framing and air-blocking expanded foam insulation on the underside of the roof sheathing, with an air/moisture barrier wrapping the shell, create a tight structure that results in a steady indoor climate, reducing the load on the heating and cooling equipment.
- A house or structure positioned to maximize what the sun’s path provides is ideally designed to take advantage of day lighting opportunities through thermally efficient windows, skylights, translucent panels, and glass blocks. Doing so reduces the amount of energy needed for artificial lights.
- Consider an east-west axis to optimize the path of the sun. A house with a west-facing front would have fewer windows and a shading porch to deal with the harsh sunlight, whereas a house with a north-facing front could have more windows.
A single-pane window in the shade is more efficient than an insulated window in the sun.*
(*Tips taken from BUILDER Online News Service)

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