Employ building products that save energy and water


The continuing environmental impacts which result from the energy and water used in operating a building often far outweigh the impacts related to building it. Many products help save energy or water; there are many distinct subcategories:

Building components that reduce cooling and heating loads. These include structural insulated panels (SIPs), insulated concrete forms (ICFs), autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) blocks, and high-performance windows.With windows, energy performance could be objectively compared using standards developed by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC).

Equipment that conserves energy. For energy-consuming equipment, for example hot water heaters, clothes washers, and refrigerators, the united states United states doe is promoting standardized testing procedures so that manufacturers can report energy performance consistently.

EnergyGuide labels of all appliances as well as cooling and heating equipment permit you to compare the power performance of merchandise. ENERGY STAR designations identify products with higher efficiency. In most categories, the power performance criteria used in Green Building Goods are even more stringent than ENERGY STAR standards.

Alternative energy and fuel cell equipment. Equipment and merchandise that allow utilization of alternative energy rather than non-renewable fuels and conventional electricity are highly beneficial from an eco standpoint. These include solar hot water heaters, photovoltaic systems, and wind generators.

Fuel cells may also be considered green, while they usually use natural gas or any other fossil fuel because the hydrogen source; as renewable causes of hydrogen become available, fuel cells will help alleviate fossil fuel dependence.

Fixtures and equipment that conserve water. To become designated as green in Green Building Products, toilets must use a minimum of 20% less water per flush than allowed by the federal water efficiency standards, plus they must perform satisfactorily, depending on independent, third-party testing.

There's also showerheads, faucets, irrigation systems, along with other products that are green simply because they use considerably less water than conventional products. Less frequent water-saving products, for example rainwater catchment systems and graywater components, will also be considered green.

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Note: This article was sent to us by: Larry Edwards at 04202011

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