Welcome to week #2 @ Binder Home Inspections blog spot. This weeks topic how can we improve on the LEED Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.
LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health:
• sustainable site development
• water efficiency
• energy efficiency
• materials selection
• indoor environmental quality
There is no denying the importance in any and all of the above bullets. I am not going to educate you on the vast knowledge in each category. The interest I have been studying for the last few years in green energy supply and low environmental impact must have rubbed off on others as well. I am not one who feels that global warming is a hoax. I feel our environment is in a major change and the effects of the climate will be debilitating. However, it is not all doom and gloom. There are incentives, alternatives, and gratification in everyone doing what they can to improve the means of energizing and constructing our home(s). Commercial-buildings, business, and manufacturing have greatly injured our planet. The impact is severe but, they have their own incentives to reduce their emissions. Binder Home Inspections is only concerned with “our home”.
Sustainable Site Development- Consider where our homes are being built and erected. Are we developing areas that are affecting our lakes and rivers? Is it necessary to build our homes near watershed that may harm our environment? Is there need to construct a new sewer system? Can a design retro the present system to rid of a depleting system. Do we have to install that break wall? The water table is something that needs examination. If piers or footings have to be sunk, what are the long term effects of the aggregate?
Water Efficiency- Hopefully this is a term that is self explanatory. We need products and human knowledge on methods to reduce water usage. Low flow systems installed on all water appliances (Furnaces, water heaters, sanitary systems, drinking and cleansing) to reduce usage. Limit the draw on our lakes and rivers by re-using water to the best of our abilities. Waste water systems are already installed to make use of the heat lost during showers, laundry and dishwashing. Rain water is being re-directed to rain barrels for gardens. Grey water pits need to be redirected for further usage. Water filtration systems need to be utilized in recycling our usage.
Energy Efficiency- People are fighting the installation of smart hydro meters. BHI understands the fight but, also understands the logistics. Limiting homeowners to the times for air conditioning, dishwashing, laundry and general hydro usage is an invasion understandably. However, it is wise to turn down the a/c while at work or away from the home. Turn the dishwasher on when you go to bed. Run the dryer at an appropriate time when other appliances are not being used. No big deal, just an adjustment for convenience. Please use high efficiency refrigerators, stoves, furnaces, dryers, washers, dishwashers, water heaters and a/c units. Please check their SEER ratings for efficiency, do the homework prior to purchase. Use low voltage lighting systems. Shut the lights off when not in use (my biggest pet peeve). One chore I have to look after this year is to install a timer on our pool pump! There are millions of other ideas as well BHI has not touched on…submit your ideas to john.binder@symptico.ca so I can pass them on to my future Clients.
Materials Selection- Construction materials are moving in leaps and bounds. There are numerous materials that are available to the new home builder. Mostly found in the wood products for framing, beams, and sheathing. The forests in British Columbia are using woods that can be repopulated quicker. This means a tree (e.g. Poplar) can be regenerated faster, harvested and then re-grown to regenerate the forest at a greater pace. Wood and lumber are being compressed with different types and grades to produce hybrid lumber products. These products have been tried and tested tougher by the industry. Welcome to the new home of compressed rafters and joists. The lumber is strong and durable with the ability to span greater distances. Shingles can be constructed with recycled materials as well. Knowledge is available, it is up to the Builder and the Client to make sure these environmental products can be utilized.
Indoor Environmental Quality-This final bullet has many directions. Radon gas and mold is an ongoing topic of interest to Home Inspectors. Both can be detected by professional services. Mold is not a hard diagnosis. There are not many homes that do not have mold or the potential of mold. Wetness, moisture and humidity within a home are not uncommon. With any three of these condensates increase the possibility of mold. Reduction of moisture requires help. The use of dehumidifiers, proper drainage, proper landscaping, lot grading, eaves trough/downspouts, sump pumps, and etc. all provides relief from water penetration. See blog #1 on Moisture @ www.binderhomeinspections.com. Heat recovery ventilation, also known as HRV, mechanical ventilation heat recovery, or MVHR, is an energy recovery ventilation system using equipment known as a heat recovery ventilator, heat exchanger, air exchanger, or air-to-air heat exchanger which employs a counter-flow heat exchanger (countercurrent heat exchange) between the inbound and outbound air flow.[1] HRV provides fresh air and improved climate control, while also saving energy by reducing heating (and cooling) requirements. Energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) are closely related; however ERVs also transfer the humidity level of the exhaust air to the intake air. Air exchangers can also be beneficial to any new home with an envelope that is airtight. Opening a window can also add the needed fresh air to a home that is too airtight….any questions or comments….call, e-mail, Have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year! From John @ Binder Home Inspections.
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