Green Homes
Silicon Valley EcoHomes and EcoBuilding
Americans are finally beginning to realize that we cannot continue to use the world’s resources without adverse impacts to the earth. Our lifestyles come with a high price tag of higher green house gases and an ever-increasing cost to retrieve our finite supply of natural resources. A significant use of the world’s natural resources is the construction of real estate and perpetual consumptive lifestyle that we are accustomed to. To minimize the need for virgin materials, designers and builders are looking for ways to build homes which need less energy to heat and cool, and use materials based on renewable resources. This is the basis of Green Building resulting in an EcoHome.
What is sustainability?
Sustainability is a systemic concept relating to the continuity of economic, social, institutional and environmental aspects of the world. The concept of sustainability refers to thinking holistically about how everything we do affects everything else around us and this idea is especially applicable in ecological studies and conscientious building practices.
What is an EcoHome?
The term was originally developed in England in 2000, and revised in April 2007 as The Code for Sustainable Homes. For the first time, criteria were established for green building:
- Energy and CO2 Emissions – Operational energy and the resulting emissions of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.
- Water – The consumption of potable water from the public supply systems or other ground water resources.
- Materials – The environmental impact of construction materials for key construction elements
- Surface Water Run-off – The change in surface water run-off patterns as a result of development.
- Waste – Waste generated as a result of the construction process and facilities encouraging recycling of domestic waste in the home.
- Pollution – Pollution resulting from the operation of the dwelling.
- Health and Well-Being – The effects that the dwelling’s design and indoor environment has on its occupants.
- Management – Steps that have been taken to allow good management of the environmental impacts of the construction and operation of the home.
- Ecology – The impact of the dwelling on the local ecosystem, bio-diversity and land use.
History of Sustainability in the U.S.
The application of energy efficient processes and sustainability in the U.S. goes back to the early seventies. In April 1970, the first “Earth Day” was celebrated in San Francisco, creating the initial awareness of “Earth-friendly” building. However the OPEC oil embargo in 1973 provided an eye-opening awareness that the U.S. was completely dependent on oil imports to drive its factories, cars and other energy needs. With lines at the gas pumps stretching for blocks, some Americans began to question the wisdom that we should be so dependent on fossil fuels for our energy. From this new awareness of energy dependency, industries began a more committed effort to expand research in the development of more effective solar panels, energy-efficient wall systems, water reclamation systems, modular construction and the strategic use of light through windows to decrease daytime energy consumption. In the late eighties, the United States Green Building Council was created to promote the design and construction of buildings to be environmentally responsible and healthy places to live and work. In the early nineties, the American Society of Testing and Materials developed a rating system for sustainability. The rating system was published as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), which is used today in the design and construction communities. The LEED guidelines set the standard for certifying a property as being “green”. Buildings are classified as Silver, Gold, or Platinum depending upon the number of points they acquire within these six building components:
- Sustainable Sites
- Water Efficiency
- Energy and Atmosphere
- Material and Resources Utilized
- Indoor Environmental Quality
- Innovation and Design Process
Here is a quick rundown of things that are considered when designing and building a green home by the National Association of Home Builders:
- Lot Preparation and Design. The guidelines can be used to certify an individual home or an entire subdivision. Through planning and design, damage to natural features can be minimized and the homes’ long-term performance enhanced.
- Resource Efficiency. Design, material selection, and advanced framing techniques can ensure that materials are optimized and durable.
- Energy Efficiency. Using third-party testing, the builder can ensure a well-sealed building envelope and optimized mechanical systems. This section also accounts for energy-efficient appliances and lighting.
- Water Efficiency and Conservation. Build Green increased the water efficiency requirements from the national guidelines in response to the Silicon Valley’s unique water efficiency demands.
- Indoor Environmental Quality. This section encourages the use of non-toxic materials and management of moisture and ventilation.
- Operation, Maintenance, and Homeowner Education. Educating the homeowner is essential for a high-performance home to operate properly.
- Global Impact. Building in a way that is mindful of the global environment will reduce the greater impact of construction projects.
StynesGroup’s Involvement in EcoBuilding
StynesGroup gained personal awareness when Tom Stynes elected to seek his EcoBroker certification in 2008. During his preparation for classes, he saw a need to introduce a higher level of knowledge regarding green building and sustainability techniques which could help our clients, our community, and our environment. With the recent events of raising oil prices $120 per barrel and climbing, impending shortages of raw materials needed to build homes like lumber, concrete, and copper, and the local issue of the Silicon Valley’s shortage of available land to build, Tom decided to take that next step to educate himself, his team and others on the importance of sustainability. StynesGroup is committed to making a difference in the Silicon Valley through educating the public with periodic postings in our blog regarding emerging trends in building ways to reduce waste and new technological advancements in efficient energy utilization. Additionally, we are committed to making our business more eco-friendly by applying sustainable techniques wherever possible. We will keep you abreast of our evolution toward a more socially and environmentally responsible company.
EcoBroker is a Build Green Educational Partner. Build Green is a voluntary program that encourages homebuilders to use technologies, products, and practices that provide greater energy efficiency and reduce pollution, provide healthier indoor air, reduce water usage, preserve natural resources, and improve durability and reduce maintenance. Through the EcoBroker program, Realtors and Real Estate Brokers are introduced to sustainable building and ways to leverage this knowledge to help the Buyers and Sellers of real estate. By applying our gained knowledge, StynesGroup personnel are better able to position the merits of LEED Certified homes against non-energy efficient homes to gain market advantage for our clients.
