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| What Is Green Building Design? |
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| Written by Jerry Dyess |
| Wednesday, 28 October 2009 08:26 |
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Building green is a subject that's on a lot of people's minds, but few of us know how to go about it. Just what makes a building green, and what are today's architects and engineers doing to improve the environmental friendliness of the structures they build. Here's a look at some of the most important elements in green building design, and how they're accomplished. Energy efficiency is green building's most crucial aspect. Not only must a green structure be built from recycled, environmentally friendly materials, but it must also reduce its impact by conserving energy. After all, most of a structure's impact results from the energy it consumes over many years of use. What constitutes energy efficiency is open to debate, so it is essential to do individual research and arrive at your own conclusions. For many kinds of buildings, energy performance can be rated on a scale of one to a hundred. This allows the buildings to be compared to similar ones. If a building rates more than seventy-five on this scale, it may qualify for the EPA's Energy Star rating, just like more familiar Energy Star rated appliances. Builders who would like to get this rating on buildings that are in the process of being built can use the EPA's Target Finder to establish a target for their project's energy performance. This Target Finder can also be used for building renovations meant to improve a structure's energy efficiency. All that needs to be done is for the designers to enter the estimated energy consumption to generate a performance rating on the system. Excellent examples of green design are eligible for special recognition by the EPA. One key tool for success at green building is sound policy with simple, standardized metrics for all aspects of the design and construction process. Such metrics make it possible to not simply meet code, but also to aim for more aggressive and greener outcomes by attaining stricter energy standards. Remember to verify that the target is being reached during building and operation. Many organizations forget to check to see if their goals are actually being met! This is an important feedback loop that will help designers create more effective green buildings. In general, a green structure needs to be less expensive to own in the long run, conserve water and energy, provide health and save environments, and promote good care of the environment. Green building is an interesting, but complex area. Taking the time to understand how to accomplish this is an important step for any designer, architect, or engineer. If you're interested in green buildings, be sure to find out more about them. About the Author: Author: Jerry Dyess has written article for the Commercial Energy market for the past 7 years. Get more information on Business Electric rates. Kindly provided by MoneyHunter.org You are welcome to use this article on your own website, if you include the link just before this text. |
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