Creating a completely sustainable building is an admirable task, but it can also be a very daunting one. Organizations like the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program provide a system of checklists and qualifications for consumers to create an environmentally friendly building, but the process of becoming certified is often time consuming and very costly. Furthermore, even “Platinum Certified” buildings have considerable room for improvement. When this project first began, I initially wanted to theoretically design the perfect green building. But as I began my research, I not only realized that this was not only a difficult task, it was actually impossible, since there is no such thing as a perfect green building. Too many factors are involved and new technologies are constantly emerging, meaning that a “perfect” sustainable building is obsolete almost immediately after it is built. In addition, the costs of creating a new or remodeling an existing building to be “perfectly” green are often prohibitive. Yet I strongly believe that many people want to do something to help the environment, and achieving sustainable housing is one of the most significant ways an individual or family can do so. My goal shifted and became about finding ways for the average person to live more sustainably. Since the US Green Building Council details five major areas of importance, I investigated how best to improve within these areas, as well as factoring in other ways to aid in creating a more sustainable building.
Sustainable building starts before the physical building is even constructed. Site development is the first main area of importance. According to the LEED website, the sustainable sites category seeks to limit a building’s impact on ecosystems and waterways. It lists several ways of doing this, such as developing on previously developed land, using regionally appropriate landscaping, controlling storm water runoff, and limiting construction-related pollution (“What LEED Measures”, 2011). If a person is building a new house, some of these examples are easier to implement than others, such as choosing a site that has already been developed. However, with an existing house, it can still be possible to make a difference. If a person is willing to invest more time and money, they could replace their concrete driveways with permeable or porous paving as a way to decrease erosion. Pavers like pervious concrete allow rainwater to penetrate the ground, making the site as a whole more sustainable (“Permeable and Porous”, 2011). Another straightforward way is through landscaping. Choosing local trees and plants will ensure that they are right for the climate and plant hardiness zone, and won’t require extra maintenance or excess water to live. Similarly, planting trees and shrubs rather than spreading mulch or gravel will help to reduce erosion. Having a garden is helpful, but it is even better if you re-route your rain gutters so that storm runoff will water that area. Placing rain barrels under downspouts to collect water after a storm is a simple and easy way to gather water for plants and gardens (Loehrlein, 2011).
The water efficiency category is important as well, both inside and outside the building. Using water-conscious landscaping outside can make a significant difference. However, it is also possible to achieve water reduction through more efficient appliances, fixtures, and fittings, as well as psychological changes to how people approach water use. For those that have the financial means to purchase more efficient appliances, there are a wide range of technologies. High-efficiency washers have become a popular way to conserve large amounts of water. However, because the majority of a household’s water is used in the bathroom, looking for ways to improve water usage there will most drastically affect the overall sustainability of the house. Generally, toilets are responsible for 27% of total water use (“U.S. indoor water use”, 2011). By installing dual flush toilets, where two different amounts of water are used for solid and liquid refuse, it severely decreases the amount of water wasted per flush. However, since these toilets can be rather costly, another simple way to conserve water is to purchase cheap, ultra-low flow showerheads and faucet aerators. By introducing air into the stream of water, it can cut water use by about 40% (“Bathroom water use”, 2011). What will make the biggest difference however, is a shift in way of thinking of the inhabitants. Taking shorter showers, turning off the water while brushing teeth, etc., are all simple measures that would result in significant changes from people actively trying to conserve water. Though it is difficult to change a pre-existing mentality, if people understand the environmental and fiscal savings of changing small steps in their water-usage routine, water efficiency would be drastically improved.
Because limiting energy usage is a huge way to reduce our ecological footprint and live more sustainably, the LEED website lists many ways to improve energy efficiency. Most importantly are efficient design and construction, efficient appliances, systems and lighting, and use of renewable sources of energy. A significant amount of energy use in houses is through heating and cooling systems. Ideally, houses should be well-designed and insulated at construction to limit excess loss of heat. However, for existing homeowners, there are several steps that they can take to reduce heat loss. Better insulation can have a major effect. Especially in older homes, most heat is lost through the attic, so repairing, replacing, or increasing the amount of insulation in the attic and walls will result in better heat retention and lower energy costs (“Improved insulation”, 2011). Windows are another significant source of heat loss. High-efficiency windows, such as triple-paned windows, have been put into use and have become a better way to retain heat. Additionally, energy-efficient appliances are designed to drastically cut energy use. Over a decade ago, the Energy Star program was created with the purpose of creating appliances that operated on less power, and this technology has been constantly changing and improving (“Energy star history”, 2011). Choosing Energy Star approved appliances is an easy way to cut energy costs and usage. On a smaller scale, replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent or LED bulbs will extend the lifecycle of the bulb in addition to consuming less electricity (“Energy-efficient lighting”, 2011). However, like with water efficiency, the most drastic change that can be made when considering energy efficiency is a psychological one. Changing people’s approach so that they shut off the lights, unplug electronics, or turn down the thermostat when not in use will make the biggest overall impact.
The next category, materials and resources use, is a category which can be applied throughout a building to make it more green. This category “encourages the selection of sustainably grown, harvested, produced and transported products and materials. It promotes waste reduction as well as reuse and recycling…” (“What LEED measures”, 2011). There are thousands of ways that greener materials can be incorporated into a house. For example, installing hard wood flooring could be made more sustainable if the wood selected is easily renewable or locally grown, which would cut down on deforestation and pollutants during transportation (“Green and eco-friendly hardwood flooring”, 2011). Or, if carpet was selected, choosing a type of carpet that is recyclable at the end of its lifetime is a way of selecting for better materials. One way to ensure the best use of materials is to select for durable materials that will have a longer lifespan and are not quickly replaced. That way, transportation is limited and packaging that will be disposed of is reduced. Additionally, choosing Cradle to Cradle certified materials will ensure that they are safe, eco-friendly, and able to be recycled at the end of their lifetime (“Cradle to cradle certification”, 2011). Some materials, especially paints, release Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) which can be harmful if inhaled, so it is important to select materials that emit low VOCs.
Selecting environmentally friendly materials and resources will also lead to improvement in the final category, indoor environmental quality. This category promotes strategies that improve indoor air, natural daylight and views, and approve acoustics. Since the amount of natural daylight and acoustics is generally based on the existing architecture, the easiest way for people to make improvements in this area is through an improvement in air quality. The elimination of pollutants is the main goal, so avoiding activities with high amount of fumes like painting or varnishing is crucial, as is limiting VOCs (“Indoor environmental quality”, 2006). Since it is inevitable that some pollutants will exist, the best way to improve the air quality is to simply open a window. Introducing air flow from an outside source and moving it through the building using a fan increases ventilation, therefore improving quality of life.
The five major LEED certification categories merely scratch the surface on ways to make buildings more sustainable. When constructing buildings from scratch, there are so many different factors to consider and implement, such as passive design, construction practices, and materials. However, since sustainability can involve any amount of change, any improvements made are a step in the right direction. Ideally, if a person desired to make their house more sustainable, they would implement one or more of these suggestions from each of the categories. Yet, even if they make changes in only one area, they are still making an effort and are on the right track towards creating a more sustainable building or lifestyle. Personally, I don’t have the ability or resources to build a completely sustainable house. Nevertheless, because I sincerely believe that it is necessary to make changes to improve our environment for the future, I take these suggestions and enact them whenever possible, and have encouraged my family and friends to do the same. Discovering all of these inexpensive, simple ways to help make buildings more sustainable has inspired me to share them with others, and hopefully make a difference improving the sustainability of housing.
Works Cited
Energy-efficient lighting. (2011). Retrieved from http://eartheasy.com/live_energyeff_lighting.htm
Energy star history. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=about.ab_history
Green and eco-friendly hardwood flooring. (2011). Retrieved from http://green.findanyfloor.com/hardwood/AboutHardwood.xhtml
Improved insulation. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=new_homes_features.hm_f_improved_insulation
Loehrlein, M. (2011). Sustainable landscaping. Retrieved from http://thesustainablelandscape.com/
McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry. (2011). Cradle to cradle certification. Retrieved from http://www.mbdc.com/detail.aspx?linkid=2&sublink=8
National institute of building sciences: Indoor environmental quality. (2006). Retrieved from http://www.access-board.gov/research/ieq/intro.cfm
Permeable and porous pavers. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/porous_concrete_pavers/
United States Environmental Protection Agency, (2011). U.S. indoor water use. Retrieved from website: http://www.epa.gov/WaterSense/pubs/indoor.html
Utah Division of Water Resources. (2011). Bathroom water use. Retrieved from website: http://www.conservewater.utah.gov/IndoorUse/Bathroom/
What LEED measures. (2011). Retrieved from United States Green Building Council website: http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=1989