Chapter 21 Flashcards
Enviromental Impacts on Buildings
- 30 to 40 percent of world’s energy use and associated greenhouse gasses
- One-third of U.S. energy use
- Two-thirds of U.S. electricity consumption
- 30 percent of U.S. raw materials consumption, 25 percent of its harvested wood, and 12 percent of its fresh water
- Nearly one-half of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions
Sustainable Building Construction
- Reduce the depletion of fossil fuels
- Minimize the use of valuable, productive land
- Minimize materials consumption and waste
- Protect forests and forest ecosystems
- Protect water resources
- Minimize air pollution
- Maximize the healthfulness of the interior building environment
The Building Life Cycle
Sustainable building construction must address all phases of the life of a building material, that is, from cradle to grave.
- Origin, manufacturing, and transportation
- Construction
- Use and maintenance
- Demolition, and reuse or disposal
USGBC
U.S. Green Building Council
LEED
Leadership in Energy and Enviromental Design
-Existing Buildings LEED-EB
-Commercial Interiors LEED-CI
-Building core and shell construction LEED-CS
-Homes LEED-H
also Schools, Retail, Healthcare, Neighborhood Development
LEED-NC
LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations projects LEED-NC
- Sustainable Sites
- Water Efficiency
- Energy & Atmosphere
- Materials & Resources
- Indoor Environmental Quality
- Innovation & Design Process
- Regional Priority Credits
LEED Classification
Platinum: 80+ points
Gold: 60-79 points
Silver: 50-59 points
Certified: 40-49 points
Other Green Building Assesment Programs
- Green Building Initiative Green Globes
- National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)Green Home Building Guidelines
- NAHB and International Code Council National Green Building Standard
Energy Conservation Programs
- American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning: Advanced Energy Design Guides
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Energy Star
Product Certificaton
- green Seal
- Greenguard
- Scientific Certification Systems
- ISO 14000
Green Seal
- American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning: Advanced Energy Design Guides
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Energy Star
Greenguard
Tests indoor products for acceptable Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) guidelines & standards
Scientific Certification Systems
Tests biodegradability and recycled content; also certifies forests under Forest Certification Program
ISO 14000
Collection of standards & guidelines covering performance, product standards, labeling, environmental management, and life-cycle assessment
Life cycle Assessment
- Definition of goals/scope of study
- Inventory analysis
- Impact assessment
- Improvement analysis or interpretation
Criteria for Evaluating Building Materials
- Embodied Energy
- Renewable Materials
- Recycled Content
- Energy Efficiency
- Use of Local Materials
- Durability
- Low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Content
- Low Toxicity
- Moisture Resistance
- Water Conservation
- Maintainability
- Potential for Recycling
- Potential for Reuse
Philosophy on Salvaged Material
- Salvaged materials should be used as much as possible.
- Doors & windows
- Cabinetry, furnishings, and equipment
- May be extra costs involved with preparation for reuse, but cost savings may occur relative to new construction
Metals
- Large amounts of embodied energy, but highly recyclable
- Steel with 30% recycled content, aluminum with 20% readily available
- Electroplating very toxic; use powdercoating or allow natural weathering when possible
Reclaimed Wood
Wood salvaged from old buildings and prepared for new use
Ecologically sound, unique visual character
Sustainable or Alternative Materials
- Engineered wood products – laminated ‘I’ joists, laminated veneer lumber
- Particleboard & formaldehyde-free MDF
- Straw particleboard – made from wheat straw, rice straw, & sugar cane
Certified Wood Products
- Products that use wood from sustainable forest management practices
- Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) best known in North America
Plastic
Plastics used in interior projects should be marked for recycling.
- Compostable plastics specified if possible
- PET from soft-drink containers used to make carpet
- Bioplastics, like PLA made from corn, used in carpet
- Newer plastics, like metallocene polyolefins can replace PVC