Checklist for Environmentally Responsible Design
for Going Green
MATERIALS
- Avoid ozone-depleting chemicals in
mechanical equipment and insulation: CFCs have been phased out,
but their primary replacements–HCFCs–also damage the ozone layer
and should be avoided where possible. Avoid foam insulation made
with HCFCs. Reclaim CFCs when servicing or disposing of equipment. - Use durable products and materials:
Because manufacturing is very energy-intensive, a product that
lasts longer or requires less maintenance usually saves energy.
Durable products also contribute less to our solid waste problems. - Choose low-maintenance building materials:
Where possible, select building materials that will require little
maintenance (painting, retreatment, waterproofing, etc.), or whose
maintenance will have minimal environmental impact. - Choose building materials with low
embodied energy: Heavily processed or manufactured products and
materials are usually more energy intensive. As long as durability
and performance will not be sacrificed, choose low-embodied-energy
materials. - Buy locally produced building materials:
Transportation is costly in both energy use and pollution generation.
Look for locally produced materials. Local hardwoods, for example,
are preferable to tropical woods. - Use building products made from recycled
materials: Building products made from recycled materials reduce
solid waste problems, cut energy consumption in manufacturing,
and save on natural resource use. A few examples of materials with
recycled content are cellulose insulation, Homasote?, Thermo-ply?,
floor tile made from ground glass, and recycled plastic lumber. - Use salvaged building materials when
possible: Reduce landfill pressure and save natural resources by
using salvaged materials: lumber, millwork, certain plumbing fixtures,
and hardware, for example. Make sure these materials are safe (test
for lead paint and asbestos), and don’t sacrifice energy efficiency
or water efficiency by reusing old windows or toilets. - Seek responsible wood supplies: Use
lumber from independently certified well-managed forests. Avoid
lumber products produced from old-growth timber unless they are
certified. Engineered wood can be substituted for old-growth Douglas
fir, for example. Don’t buy tropical hardwoods unless the seller
can document that the wood comes from well-managed forests. - Avoid materials that will offgas
pollutants: Solvent-based finishes, adhesives, carpeting, particleboard,
and many other building products release formaldehyde and volatile
organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. These chemicals can affect
workers’ and occupants’ health as well as contribute to smog and
ground-level ozone pollution outside. - Minimize use of pressure-treated
lumber: Use detailing that will prevent soil contact and rot. Where
possible, use alternatives such as recycled plastic lumber. Take
measures to protect workers when cutting and handling pressure-treated
wood. Scraps should never be incinerated. - Minimize packaging waste: Avoid excessive
packaging, such as plastic-wrapped plumbing fixtures or fasteners
that aren’t available in bulk. Tell your supplier why you are avoiding
over-packaged products. Keep in mind, however, that some products
must be carefully packaged to prevent damage–and resulting waste.
EQUIPMENT
- Install high-efficiency heating and
cooling equipment: Well-designed high-efficiency furnaces, boilers,
and air conditioners (and distribution systems) not only save the
building occupants money, but also produce less pollution during
operation. Install equipment with minimal risk of combustion gas
spillage, such as sealed-combustion appliances. - Install high-efficiency lights and
appliances: Fluorescent lighting has improved dramatically in recent
years and is now suitable for homes. High-efficiency appliances
offer both economic and environmental advantages over their conventional
counterparts. - Install water-efficient equipment:
Water-conserving toilets, showerheads, and faucet aerators not
only reduce water use, they also reduce demand on septic systems
or sewage treatment plants. Reducing hot water use also saves energy. - Install mechanical ventilation equipment:
Mechanical ventilation is usually required to ensure safe, healthy
indoor air. Heat recovery ventilators should be considered in cold
climates because of energy savings, but simpler, less expensive
exhaust-only ventilation systems are also adequate.
