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Greening Buildings
“Green building” is a rather elusive term and according to the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can refer to construction that incorporates any or all of the following into its design:
- Energy efficiency and renewable energy
- Water efficiency
- Environmentally preferable building materials and specifications
- Waste reduction
- Toxics reduction
- Indoor air quality
- Smart growth and sustainable development
Green building not only provides obvious environmental benefits but also economic and social benefits as well. When water and energy efficiency are considered in a building’s design, this will inevitably result in long-term financial savings for the home owner. Improvements that better the home’s environment will in turn benefit human health.
Parkland County Net-Zero House Project
Net-zero buildings are self-sustaining and generate at least as much energy as they consume. Did you know that there is a net-zero private residence in Parkland County? The Cuku home was built to generate its own energy for heating, hot water, lighting, and appliances. At the time of construction, it was predicted to use only 23% of the energy that a conventional home of the same design would require.
Greening Your Home
A common misconception is that retrofitting your home is a costly endeavor. Although large-scale renovations can come with hefty price tags, there are many small and inexpensive changes you can make to your home to make it more efficient and green. The U.S Green Building Council suggests the following tips to green your home:
- Use efficient lighting such as compact fluorescent light bulbs or LED lights
- Program your thermostat to 26 °C or higher in the summer and 17 °C or lower in the winter
- Get your heating and cooling (HVAC) system checked up on ever two years
- Purchase Energy Star appliances
- Purchase low-flow faucets and toilets
- Select a green power service provider
- Plant trees around your home to provide shade and wind protection
- Plant native species that require minimal care
Green Retrofit Options
If you are interested in making more large-scale changes to your home and retrofitting to make it more efficient and green, consider implementing some of the features of the Archetype Sustainable House in Woodbridge, Ontario and/or the Cuku net-zero residence in Parkland County, Alberta, both Platinum LEED certified:
- Permeable paving for walkways and driveways
- A wastewater wetland system to treat sewage
- Photovoltaic panels or solar thermal panels to generate electricity and to heat domestic water
- Cabinetry and furniture finishes that are Volatile Organic Free (VOC)
- Situate windows to optimize natural solar conditions
- Building materials obtained through sustainable means (Forest Stewardship Council [FSC] approved wood, cork, bamboo etc.)
Reused and Recycled Building Materials
Incorporating reused and recycled materials into the construction of a building is one way to build green. If you are planning on building or renovating your home you may want to consider using recycled or reused materials during the construction process. The following companies, located in Edmonton, offer reused building materials. They will also purchase many reusable items from you that you might otherwise throw away.
• Architectural Clearinghouse
• Home Reusables
As well, Habitat for Humanity’s Restore in Edmonton accepts building material donations that are then sold to the public at affordable prices.
Additionally, it is important to consider the life cycle of a building material if you are interested in green building. Some companies today offer consumers a life cycle assessment (LCA) of their products. A life cycle assessment is a “cradle-to-grave” evaluation of the inputs and outputs required of a product at every stage of its existence including manufacturing, distribution and end of life. Building materials that have been obtained through sustainable means have a smaller environmental footprint.
Click HERE to access The Environmentally Responsible Construction and Renovation Handbook, which includes extensive detail on things to consider when involved in green building.
Looking for more information? Visit these websites to learn more about green building opportunities:
A Platinum LEED certified house has been built in Woodbridge, Ontario for demonstration purposes. Visit the website to take a virtual tour of the “Archetype Sustainable House” and to learn more about opportunities available for greening your home.
Green building materials available in Alberta
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a North American rating system for green building. Click HERE to find out more about LEED certification for homes.
The Canadian Green Building Council (Alberta Chapter)
For more information please contact Parkland County’s Sustainability Services at 780-968–8888 ex. 8261 or ex. 8270
