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Green vs. Greener Building Practices

HVAC: Energy efficiency can mean a right-sized HVAC unit or a geothermal system.

Green - Heating & Cooling system correct sizing for the size of the home.

Greener - Geothermal Pump. Uses the ground temperature to regulate the temperature of your home.

 

Structural Framing: Using engineered lumber and OVE cuts the amount of wood required for a house.

Green - OVE or Stacked Framing. Optimum Value Engineering and is a collection of framing methods that use less lumber than conventional framing. The stack framing method lines up all the load paths in the load bearing walls from the bottom floor to the roof framing. Both methods use less lumber.

Greener - Engineered Studs. These use less wood as they are generally from waste materials and they are straighter and do not have knots.

 

Insulation: Correct installation is critical no matter what kind of insulation is used.

Green - Correct installation of Fiberglass Batt Insulation

Greener - Cellulose. Cellulose insulation is produced using recycled waste materials, making it a good option for environmentally conscious consumers.

 

Solar: Attention to design and site selection are essential for efficient solar energy.

Green- House orientation for passive solar design. Proper design will allow you have heat gain when you want it (winter) and less heat gain when you don't want it (summer).

Greener - Solar panels. There are many options for solar power. You can use panels or roof shingles to convert to electricity or hot water. The sun is free and should be used whenever possible.

 

Flooring: Bamboo and finished concrete both mean sustainability and durability.

Green - Concrete slab. These are great and can be finished in many different colors.

Greener - Bamboo. Bamboo is great for the environment (renewable), durable and it looks great.

 

Plumbing: Whether the water heater has a tank or is tankless, it can be green.

Green - Correct sizing of water heater. Eliminate waste with proper sizing. Proper sizing generally saves you money and is more efficient.

Greener - Tankless water heater. Most efficient because it heats the water on demand rather than heating and storing many gallons of hot water in a tank.

 

 

Comments (1)

Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Appreciated your list Tim.  I'm bookmarking this post.  Thanks.

Jun 27, 2008 06:44 AM