Planet Green
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The main reason I came up with this bubble diagram was to answer the question, "what is green building?" Some of what we now call green building has been around for a long time and some of the other aspects are relatively recent.
Energy
The most prominent bubble is energy, because that's what we spend the biggest part of our budgets on month to month. Think of energy as "energy in" and "energy out." Energy in is all the inputs required to keep the building running—electricity, gas, heating oil, water. Obviously, the more you conserve, the less you use, and the more you improve the building envelope in terms of insulation, air sealing, window quality, even shading with trees, overhangs and the basic siting of the building, the more you can save on heating and cooling. "Energy in" is also about harnessing power from the wind, sun or geothermal sources. Additionally, the energy bubble addresses savings from compact fluorescents, Energy Star appliances and so forth.
Workmanship
Workmanship is all about building it right. The old builders (and lots of new green builders) understand the importance of all those little details, from rain screen walls to how the windows are flashed, in the overall performance and longevity of the building. A house constructed in a quality way will last a century. A building constructed poorly will last a fraction of that time.
Materials
The materials bubble is a pretty big category, ranging from chain of custody issues to manufacturing issues to durability issues. Plus, there are no cut and dry answers. For instance, how do you know that the "sustainability grown and manufactured" bamboo flooring you want to buy is in fact sustainably grown and manufactured using labor treated fairly? That's a supply chain of custody issue, and to insure your particular product has a green chain of custody someone has to examine it. How do you know if the South American hardwood you want to put on your deck is grown and harvested in such a way that it does not rape the rain forest and that all the boards in your purchase came from the same source? That's a "clean, green" supply chain issue. Ironically, big box stores like Home Depot and Walmart have the reach and the clout to insure a clean green supply chain and they are beginning to do it. Then there are really simple dilemmas—You're in Texas and you want to do "green" countertops in your kitchen. Texas is full of local limestone which comes right out of the earth and is ready to use. Plus, it's low-embodied energy, because it requires little processing (other than quarrying) and minimal transportation (it's local). But...you really have your eye on this really cool recycled countertop material made in NYC and transported across country...hmmmm what to do?
Health
Health ranges from indoor air quality insured by adequate amounts of fresh air, to issues dealing with off gassing from carpets, glues in materials, and paints. People need to know what products have low-VOC's and won't off gas. Some materials, like particle board, can emit gases for years. Health is about what materials are safe and healthy and maintaining an air quality that is worth breathing. One of the challenges of a green builder is finding a way to change the indoor air every three hours without increasing heating and cooling costs.
Design
If you don't like your house, then there was no point in building it. A good design will make you feel comfortable in your own living space and makes your house look comfortable in its neighborhood and environment. Deciding to live in a green home is a lifestyle choice. It may cost more to build a green house, but it will save money in the long run. Homes that are designed green are usually smaller, sturdier, stylish, smarter and easier to care for. A person who lives in a green-designed home may feel satisfied that they are living a low-impact lifestyle, preserving the planet for the upcoming generations.
Checkout the Planet Green Schedule to catch this episode of Renovation Nation.
Read more about green building:
Check out some of the World's Greenest Homes
Your Green Technology: Consider a Prefab Eco-Home
Green Design: Our Favorite Sites: Technology
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