There is so much information on green building that we thought it was time to ask our reliable sources some basic questions. Their answers are quite helpful.
Host: Tish Leizens, Editor & Founding Publisher
Bruce Wilson
Principal
Bruce Wilson Contracting
Wilson is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Accredited Professional who co-owns his company with his wife and business manager, Annie Prince, specializing in green building, renewable energy and historic preservation contracting and consulting. Together they co-founded the Lehigh Valley Green Builders Forum in 2003.
Rea Wundrack Lippner
Principal
Ridgetop Builders
Lippner is a National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) certified green professional and owner of West Milford, N.J.—based Ridgetop Builders, an independent distributor of Lindal Cedar Homes and Sunrooms.
OurHouse: So, I want to build a green house, what is the first thing I should do?
Bruce Wilson: A green house is only as green as the behavior of the people who operate and live in it. Recent studies of green buildings show the importance of the inhabitants understanding the green features and operations to get the most benefits of a green building. If you know a good green builder or architect start talking to them about what you want. Your green house can be made of steel, glass and drywall, timber frame and stress skin panels, straw bales plastered with earthen lime plasters, insulated concrete forms or just regular stick-built construction.
Rea Wundrack Lippner: First, educate yourself. The Internet is a valuable resource and has many sites pertaining to green building that tell you about credits, rebates and grants offered on a federal level and state level. Look up sites like NAHB and LEED for more information on contacting professional builders and architects. Attend seminars on the topic.
OH: What are my main considerations?
BW: A green house should be very frugal with all resources, energy, water and building materials. Use materials of low or no toxicity made of renewable or recycled materials. A super-energy-efficient shell is paramount. I like to build with no less insulation than R-30 walls and R-60 ceilings. I prefer the new windows that have triple the energy performance rather than those that only comply with code. Besides being well insulated with efficient glazing, windows should have minimal air leakage or infiltration. If you are building an airtight shell, an air-to-air heat exchanger will keep a constant source of fresh air flowing for you to breath and to vent the formaldehyde in the framing.
RL: In designing the home, take advantage of passive solar with proper window location, glass type, interior solar capturing surfaces such as tile, stone that capture winter heat and then radiate heat after the sun sets. Consider recycling the water and use sustainable building materials whenever possible.
OH: How green could my house be?
BW: I assume that any green house is being designed for optimal passive solar performance. With a super-high-efficiency shell and passive solar design the houses heating costs become very low. Ideally a green house built today should be a zero-energy house with enough solar hot water and solar photovoltaic panels to supply the needs of the house.
RL: Within the NAHB nationwide standards there are four levels of certification and within these levels are several categories that include structural components, house siting, mechanicals, interior and exterior environment. A homeowner may choose to do the minimum, which might include energy-rated appliances and fixtures, proper insulation in walls and glass, proper location of house in relation to sun or go to the top level which would make the home totally self sufficient, meaning it is generating it’s own power to heat/cool and electrify the home and property.
OH: Should I pay attention to these Energy Star ratings?
BW: Any Energy Star appliance is more efficient than its non—Energy Star competitors. A higher Energy Star rating is even better, so doing some research pays in lower operating costs.
RL: Yes, the energy star ratings are designed to be easy for the average consumer to understand and make comparisons. Energy Star—rated components are part of the certification levels. Many of the federal and state grants and credits are based on Energy Star.
OH: What is a certified green professional? Should I get one? How do I find them?
BW: A certified green professional is trained to build green houses. It is similar to the LEED designation. It is a designation provided by the NAHB. It is not necessary for a green builder to be a certified green professional. To find certified green professionals in your area, go to: nahbgreen.org/education/greenprofessional.aspx
To find a LEED Accredited Professional in your area, go to: https://ssl27.cyzap.net/gbcicertonline/onlinedirectory/
RL: A CGP is a contractor, architect or engineer who has met the
requirements of certification through the NAHB. Certification is a continuing educational process to insure that CGP’s are aware of up-to-date changes and information and have the knowledge to implement energy resources into a home.
To learn more about how you can build your green home. Call Rea Wundrack Lippner at 973-728-7944 or visit ridgetopbuildersnj.com. To reach Bruce Wilson, e-mail him at brucewilsoncontracting@earthlink.net.
