Untitled Document
How does one build a residence that is sensitive to
the environment?
There are many ideas as to what constitutes an
“eco-home,” depending on how pure one wants to be, but certain
common elements — such as energy efficiency, responsible materials
sourcing, and minimal landscape disruption — must be in place to meet
most environmentalists’ criteria. And with technologies improving and
prices coming down, eco-homes are no longer the domain of the wealthy,
because even a modest building can incorporate green features. According to the U.S. Green Building Council, a
nonprofit network of practitioners of environmentally friendly
construction, a green home “uses less energy, water and natural
resources; creates less waste; and is healthier and more comfortable for
the occupants.” The organization is continually updating its
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design guidelines, which help
real-estate agents, developers, architects, and builders create
high-performance green buildings of every stripe. The council recently launched a special set of
benchmarks — LEED for Homes — devoted specifically to the
design and construction of residential buildings. Builders or owners can
evaluate every step of the home design and construction process against
standards set forth under these guidelines, which aim for sustainably
sourced materials, lower energy and water use, reduced greenhouse gas
emissions, and less exposure to mold and other indoor toxins. Research
indicates that the net cost of owning a LEED home is comparable to that of
owning a conventional home. Since LEED for Homes was launched, in 2005,
more than 375 builders representing 6,000 homes across the United States
have built in accordance with its standards.
Other organizations have weighed in on what
constitutes an “eco-home.” Juliet Cuming, of the Vermont-based
nonprofit Earth Sweet Home Institute, lays out several criteria that anyone
can use when planning the design and construction of an environmentally
friendly home: Does the home plan reduce energy and resources? Does it
reuse existing resources? Are materials used recyclable or biodegradable
once they’re no longer usable? Is the home healthy to producers and
occupants and also to the installers of the materials? Is the plan
affordable and available? Will the resulting home be durable?
“The ideal eco-home would be built in a place
where it will have as little negative impact as possible on the plants,
wildlife, and humans in the area,” Cuming says. “The home will
be sited and designed to take advantage of shade in the summer and sun in
the winter.” She adds that a true eco-home should be crafted of
materials derived from local sources. Those looking to learn more about eco-homes have lots
of information to wade through online and in print. A good place to start
is Environmental Building News, a monthly newsletter on green design and construction
published by Building Green Inc. It features comprehensive, practical
information on a wide range of topics — from renewable energy and
recycled materials to land-use planning and indoor-air quality.
For more information:
LEED for Homes, www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=147; Earth Sweet
Home Institute, www.earthsweethome.com; Environmental
Building News; www.buildinggreen.com.
Send questions to Earth Talk, care of E/The Environmental Magazine,
P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881 or e-mail earthtalk@emagazine.com.
This article appears in Jul 12-18, 2007.
