By Molly Erin McCabe, AKBD
Reprinted with permission from West Sound Home & Garden Magazine

In the first installment of “Green: Is It Your Color?,” we looked at the four R’s of green design and build – rethink, reduce, reuse, and recycle. In this segment, we will examine what it means to design and build green as well as how to tell when you have an authentically green product/home.

What does it really mean to design and build a green home? A common declaration in the built green sector is that a green built home “uses less energy, water and natural resources; creates less waste; and is healthier and more comfortable for the occupants because built green homes have better indoor air quality, lower risk of pest infestations, lower levels of allergens, and reduced risk of mold-related illnesses”. This mantra is achieved by aligning any given project with the basic principals of green design and build:

  • Prudent use of natural resources
  • Minimizing energy and water consumption
  • Using salvaged, recycled or agricultural waste content products
  • Minimizing toxic emissions both inside and outside a home
  • Using durable, low maintenance materials and finishes

Building and designing green is not an all or none proposition. So whether your home addresses all of the points above or just a few, remember every little bit counts!

How do you know if you are really purchasing a green home? When referring to new construction, the answer is simple – green homes don’t smell! They don’t smell because there is little or no off gassing from the carpets, cabinets, caulks, sealants or painted surfaces. On a more serious note, look for a green home certification such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Homes administered by the US Built Green Council or the Built Green program developed by the National Home Builder’s Association and its member Chapters. (An item of note, the Kitsap Home Builders Association developed one of the very first Built Green certification programs in the United States). Both of these certifications are based on a standardized check list of actions and points are awarded for construction methods/practices and materials used that achieve six primary environmental goals:

Site work that minimizes the environmental impact of the house during and after construction: preserves native vegetation and minimizes storm water run off as well as irrigation requirements of new landscaping.

Energy efficiency: uses energy star rated appliances, doors and window, using location appropriate insulation materials and taking advantage of natural day lighting and cross breezes to minimize the need for artificial lighting and cooling.

Water Efficiency: using low flow or sensor activated plumbing fixtures as well as low water usage clothes washers and dishwashers.

Use of recycled materials and materials whose production can be sustained without harming people or the environment: reclaimed wood floors, recycled glass terrazzo countertops, recycled doors, windows, cabinets, etc. Healthful indoor-air quality: installing heat recovery ventilators, whole house vacuum systems, radiant floor heating systems, using low VOC paints, caulks and sealants, formaldehyde free cabinets and shelving materials, etc. Homeowner education on the operation and maintenance of their green home: providing a binder with all the appliance manuals and maintenance check lists to ensure proper environmentally friendly care and maintenance of the home.

LEED for Homes has four certification levels including certified, silver, gold and platinum. Designations are overseen by a third-party certifier and have an average cost of approximately $2,000. The Kitsap Built Green™ certification program has three certification levels including one, two and three stars and is self administered with an average registration cost of $50 (plus a $100 annual program participation fee).

How does one find sustainable building products? A wide variety of sustainable products and retailers can be found by conducting an internet search under the heading Sustainable Building Products. Seattle happens to be home to one of the nation’s largest green building material suppliers, EcoHaus (formerly the Environmental Home Center) which has two showrooms in the greater metro Seattle area and a mail order division. Home Depot is launching an environmentally friendly products program and expects to have 5,000 green products on their shelves by 2009 each with a special “green” tag. Finding green products is relatively easy, determining their green authenticity can take a bit more homework. To start, look for third party product certifications such as WaterSense (www.epa.gov/watersense) which certifies water efficient products and services, GreenSeal (www.greenseal.org) which certifies a variety of products, including paints, caulks and sealants, for environmental attributes such as low toxicity and who’s procedures conform to international standards for ecolabelling or FSC (Forest Stewardship Council- www.fscus.org) which oversees the certification of sustainably harvested wood products.

Not all green product manufactures have their wares certified so as a fall back you can perform a life cycle analysis. Begin by determining what the raw materials are that go into the product – do they require environmentally hazardous practices like copper mining or are they more benign like harvesting bamboo? Second, what does it take to manufacture the product – considerable amounts of energy such as the fabrication of stainless steel counter tops or minimal energy such as butcher block counter tops? Third, how is the product transported and distributed – is the product shipped across the Pacific Ocean using an abundance of fossil fuel or is it manufactured locally reducing the shipping and packaging requirements? Lastly, what are the options for the product at the end of its useful life? Can the product be recycled, is it biodegradable or is it destine for the landfill with a 2 million year half life? By looking for certified products and/or conducting a simple life cycle analysis you can weed out the authentically green from the “green washers”. Green washing is the act of promoting a product or service as green when it really isn’t. However, recognize that many manufactures and service providers run their businesses in an environmentally sensitive manner but their products are not eco friendly per se. As an example, a large local cabinet manufacturer recycles its scrap wood, minimizes its emissions, is ISO 9001:2000 certified and is the recipient of the EPA’s Evergreen award but it does not offer a formaldehyde free cabinet with low VOC finishes. Hence, its business practices are green but its product is not.

How does one select green products? Start by drafting your material list, check your budget and then look for the most energy and resource efficient low maintenance products that fit the design. For instance, consider using solar panels to fuel some of your homes own power needs (excess power can be sold back to your local utility) or install a sensor activated faucet or pedal valve to save water at a busy sink.

Is building green more expensive? Yes, but on the front end only. According to a McGraw Hill Construction survey, in 2006, the average Built Green Home was only 6% more than a conventional home. However, these costs are typically recouped in reduced utility and maintenance bills for the home. Further, there are several utility rebates and tax credits available for green products including windows, doors, insulation, heating/cooling equipment, water heaters and solar systems. For more information go to www.energystar.gov. As with a conventional build/remodel project, you can greatly control costs by good planning and a cohesive design/build team that appreciates the attributes of green building. By making the bulk of your design, build and product decisions in advance you can reduce delivery delays, work stopages and increase the overall efficiency of the work crew not to mention minimize expensive change orders.

Just remember, in life there are many shades of green it is just a matter of finding the right one for you. In our next installment we will look at specific products and principals for making your kitchen project environmentally friendly.

About the Author

Molly Erin McCabe, AKBD is a professional kitchen and bath designer and owner of A Kitchen That Works™. She is a member of the Olympic West Sound Chapter of the National Kitchen & Bath Association and the Kitsap Homebuilders Association Green Built Program. Ms. McCabe is the co-designer and co-builder of a three star Built Green home. She can be reached at 206-780-1906 or molly@akitchenthatworks.com.