What is Green Building?

posted: Saturday, March 01, 2008

Guest Writer: John Lee

According to the EPA, our buildings use almost 40% of all energy, 12% of clean water, 68% of all electricity, and are responsible for almost 40% of all carbon dioxide emissions. By the sheer numbers, most agree that the greening of our buildings is critical.

Let me start by sharing that Green Building is not a fad that will pass in time, but something that will be to construction what recycling is to the trash business. Whether or not you believe the theories of climate change; living green is a good thing to do. The availability of green materials and knowledgeable trade professionals is growing in leaps and bounds. The once premium of practicing green, has been virtually eliminated. In other words, it is easier and more affordable to do the right thing.

So what is green building? The origins of green buildings go back centuries. However, let me share how modern-day builders define green building. My development company prescribes to a standard of green building referred to as LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED was created by the U.S. Green Building Council (or “USGBC”).

A LEED home can be described by three major characteristics:

1. Energy/Water Efficiency

This is quite simple. A green home will be efficient in its use of electricity, gas and water. Through energy efficient appliances, smart switches (i.e. timers and occupancy detectors), digital thermostats, super-efficient heating and cooling systems, water-efficient plumbing fixtures and landscaping, a home will not only be a good corporate citizen, but it will reduce utility bills.

2. Material Efficiency

The first rule of green building is to build as small and conservatively as the design program allows. In other words, does a living room need to be 400 square feet, or can it get by with 350 square feet. Can a home be designed efficiently to eliminate non-used spaces such as hallways?

The next is to use materials sparingly. Use recycled material, and to recycle material that is being thrown away. Avoid waste or overuse. Also use materials that are easily renewable. For example, use fast-renewable flooring material such as cork or bamboo instead of wood from mature growth forests. Another smart idea is to use vendors that require shorter deliveries as opposed to shipping material across country on diesel trucks.

3. Healthy Home

This is the benefit that surprises most people, yet may be the most important. The indoor air quality of a green home is physically and chemically cleaner. This is achieved buy using super efficient air filters and cleaners and the eliminating the use of toxic paints and finishes.

It is important to that the home is built as a complete system, and that the builder understands how some features affect others. For example, a thermally tight home can be unhealthy due to re-circulating stale air. A fresh air exchange system will solve this problem by periodically replacing old air with fresh air.

What Can I Do To My Existing Home?

So you live in an home that you love and you have no intention of building a new home…no problem! There are many meaningful changes that you can make to your homes that will make it much greener. In future articles, my friends at Pence, Hawthorn Silver will allow me to share some of those ideas in my new column.

In meantime, enjoy and live life knowing that we live in a neighborhood where travelers come from around the globe to enjoy the beauty that we call home, everyday!

About the Writer:

John Lee is owner of the Lee Capital Companies that include a development company that focuses on green buildings, a construction company dedicated to green building and real estate investment company.

The Lee Capital Companies recently completed the first LEED green home in Santa Monica that was available for sale. Charles Pence represented the Lee Companies on this transaction as with three addition LEED green projects in Santa Monica and the Pacific Palisades.

Copyright 2008