Page 12 - The Homeowner's Handbook 2017

REVISED FOR 2017

Green Building Pyramid ® KEY: Difficulty/Knowledge COMPLETION
required for implementation.
Note that some of the easiest
changes have the greatest
green impact.

Fine tune your home’s performance with connected devices, including smart
locks, smart thermostats, occupancy, air quality and leak sensors—and many more
from the Internet of Things (IoT).

Emphasize to your contractor that you want to create even more energy
than your home uses. Make sure your tight home includes sufficient ventilation,
plus easy ways to monitor and tweak energy and water use.

PUSH FOR NET-ZERO-PLUS
Read the label carefully when choosing paints, stains and caulking.
Choose brands with zero or very low levels of volatile organic compounds SPECIFY SUSTAINABILITY HARVESTED/MINED MATERIALS
(VOCs) to protect your indoor air quality.
OPT FOR
LOW- or
NO-VOC
PAINTS
At a minimum, windows in a new home should include insulated low-E
glazings. Look for durable window frames made with materials that are
renewable or recyclable, and seal and flash them meticulously.

OPTIMIZE WATER
Uninsulated concrete foundations can reduce heating efficiency by HEATING
30%–50%. Cover concrete with rigid or spray-on foam insulation—or
build foundation walls with insulating concrete forms (ICFs). Consider a SPECIFY HIGHEST RECYCLED CONTENT MATERIALS
frost-protected shallow foundation or slab-on-grade construction.

For wood-framed walls and ceilings, air infiltration is a major UPGRADE WINDOWS OPTIMIZE HVAC
concern. Consider an insulation package that seals walls tightly.
A combination of house wrap with a tight insulator such as spray foam
is one option. If using fiberglass or cellulose, specify.

UPGRADE SHELL
INSULATE FOUNDATION INSULATION
Well-designed site plans take advantage
of free solar light and energy, and minimize SPECIFY RE-USED/SALVAGED MATERIALS
damage to existing plants and habitats.

SITING LOCATION
PLANNING PHASE

Shorten commutes and build close to public transit. Include bike storage and Install an
electric charging station. Anticipate risks from floods, wildfire or storms.

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