introduction to green/sustainable building

Summer 2008
Living Spaces
Homes and Landscapes of Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut


Various factors are combining to push consumers and builders in the direction of sustainable or "green" building.  As a result, green building does not have a single definition.  Depending on an individual's focus, green building may be motivated by health, environmental considerations or energy costs.  Green building is the strategy that can achieve these combined goals.

I have been building Energy Star-certified homes that are significantly more energy efficient than the building code requires for years.  These homes are less costly to heat and cool than typical new houses and are more quiet and comfortable.  The homes can incorporate any architectural style and client wishes are not limited by the energy efficiency goal. 

However, energy efficiency is just one part of green building.  Minimizing the environmental impacts resulting from home construction and improving the interior environment for the health of home occupants are additional green building goals.  The differing degrees to which homes meet these general goals will render the homes varying "shades of green."

Building Sites

Beyond the individual home, sustainable/green development practices encourage denser communities that allow for the preservation of more open space.  Home sites served by existing roads and utilities ("infill" sites) are also preferred.

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is a central component of green building and can most economically be addressed by reducing energy consumption.  Buying efficient windows, appliances, lighting, and mechanical equipment are critical.  Improving the building outer shell with added levels of insulation and effectively air-sealing the home are the most cost effective and permanent items in this category.  Bringing ductwork for the heating and cooling system into the conditioned (heated and cooled) space of the house also contributes significantly to long-term energy efficiency and comfort.  Energy efficiency can also be addressed with renewable generation technologies such as wind and solar.  Renewables are generally addressed after the effectiveness of more conventional means are exhausted. 

Resource Efficiency

Minimizing local and global environmental impacts of construction is the second tenet of green building.  Utilizing local sustainable materials, minimizing the quantity of materials, and reusing materials are encouraged.  Home durability is critical to green building philosophy.  Care with construction details to reduce the chance of damage to the home will contribute to durability.  Water intrusion from various sources is the predominate damage to avoid.  Additional items under resource efficiency include efficient water use, and minimizing and recycling construction waste.

Indoor Environmental Quality

Providing a healthful indoor environment for home occupants is the third general tenant of green building.  Using materials that do not off-gas (i.e. release) potentially harmful chemicals is part of a strategy to improve indoor air quality.  Controlled ventilation of the home insures that indoor air quality is always maintained.  In addition, proper sealing of ductwork in the house protects the health of occupants.

It is difficult for both builders and consumers to be aware of all aspects of green building.  As a result, various organizations are working on standards to guide in the construction of green homes.  Homes can be built and certified under several green building guidelines available.  All cover these same basic principles in different ways.  The certification process under the various guidelines insures buyers that the builder is following the prescribed requirements.

Green building is a rapidly evolving subject.  I will expand on each of the general aspects of the green building process in future articles.