Green: Your definition - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

foamhome · 10-10-2007, 03:57 PM

There is much debate over what the term 'green' means. Granted it has evolved over time to be accepted by the mainstream, but if you ask 10 different people, they might give you 10 different answers on what 'green' means. I just thought we'd put it to a vote and see what comes of the conversation.

dougchips · 10-10-2007, 07:41 PM

Green to me can mean any of or a combination of the following:

saves energy (triple pane vinyl windows)

long lasting (metal or slate roofs that last 100+ years)

renewable resource (bamboo floors)

recycled products (re-chipped plastic used for garbage cans, tires for mulch)

**Cole** · 10-10-2007, 09:04 PM

Green to me means:

low energy consumption

water conservation - which I think is a big one that gets overlooked

indoor-air quality

solar

minimal site disturbance - which I think gets overlooked as well

And of course, recycled products

Chris Johnson · 10-10-2007, 11:49 PM

Using materials made from by products of other materials we use within this world, using recycled materials rather than filling the ground, using organic products when possible to eliminate our footprint on the earth. Using healthy products to avoid any further damage to the enviorment and the occupants of the new dwelling.

macmikeman · 10-11-2007, 04:03 AM

Getting rich by creating a crisis that is not a crisis, selling energy offsets, overtaxing the populace for the way they are carbonizing the universe, using the court system to heap immoral fines and levy's on company's for enviromental "crimes", keeping lots and lots of legal firms, college professors, agitators, and kids too young and inexperienced to know any real truth employed in the green hype gig, and lastly, the sudden rush to employ that green bs in advertizing blitz's that all the corporations are jumping on cause it sells to all you rubes. That is what green means to me.

dougchips · 10-11-2007, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macmikeman

Getting rich by creating a crisis that is not a crisis, selling energy offsets, overtaxing the populace for the way they are carbonizing the universe, using the court system to heap immoral fines and levy's on company's for enviromental "crimes", keeping lots and lots of legal firms, college professors, agitators, and kids too young and inexperienced to know any real truth employed in the green hype gig, and lastly, the sudden rush to employ that green bs in advertizing blitz's that all the corporations are jumping on cause it sells to all you rubes. That is what green means to me.

It seems like you are holding back your true feelings.

K2 · 10-11-2007, 08:23 AM

Yeah, I've been around these "Corporate Earth People".

Green means "money".

Although raising the level of awareness one step at a time will be good in the long run.

ApgarNJ · 11-13-2007, 06:44 PM

I think green is that you use recycled or salvaged lumber, earth friendly materials, cut down excess waste that is found on so many development projects, both residential and commercial. and then once finished, things like solar energy, or alternative heat/cooling sources can keep that house or building green
i think most people in my area anyways, aren't committing to building green because it does cost more up front, and these are the kinds of people who often stay here for a few years and move on, they aren't committed to staying long term in one spot to reap the benefits associated with green building.

jensenconstruction · 11-13-2007, 07:17 PM

Green to me is the color you get when you mix blue and yellow.

But in all seriousness green means energy conservation, renewable resources, recycled materials and generally thinking about how you can build the project with the least amount of impact on the environment.

ockitchensolver · 11-13-2007, 09:06 PM

40 Shades of Green, "The Emerald Isle"

Tony M · 03-29-2008, 01:30 PM

Green means $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Big money raising exercise. Global warming is a myth.

MALCO.New.York · 03-29-2008, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K2

Although raising the level of awareness one step at a time will be good in the long run.

With a statement like this sounds like "they" have gotten to you. In your head.

This sort of tool was used in the World Wars...Propaganda.

GreginAlaska · 03-31-2008, 10:37 PM

It means lower energy bills to me.

CatAlii · 04-03-2008, 10:29 PM

I choose the hybrid answer because it means all of the above to me - sustainable, water conserving, energy efficient building that uses natural and/or organic and/or renewable and/or recycled products, lumber from responsibly managed forests, building design and materials that help establish better indoor air quality, the list goes on....

HellisLikeNewrk · 04-07-2008, 03:19 PM

The solar company I rep for is trying to save the world from "Global Warming". I just try to save my clients from ConEd and PSE&G. My definition to my clients is Green = your home costs a lot less to heat / cool than the neighbors. Unfortunately, the Green industry has focused way too much on saving the planet instead of the idea that a home will be more valuable (allowing the owners to recoup their investment via higher selling price) if it is energy efficient. That is starting to change though. The new BPI programs in NY and NJ are focused more on return on investment (reduction in energy costs). Rebates to homeowners are upwards of $5,000 for making a home energy efficient. Without the rebates, returns are on the order of 10% to 20%. With the rebates and low rate loans, ROI's could hit 30%.

threaderman · 04-07-2008, 04:11 PM

Burns nice and slow........

MALCO.New.York · 04-07-2008, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by threaderman

Burns nice and slow........

Sticky-icky-icky

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzNkwBeU2Us

orson · 04-07-2008, 08:20 PM

This is a work in progress that I've been writing to clarify and explain "green" in my own head.

What is Green Building and Remodeling?

Green Remodeling can be broken down into three basic categories which encompass most green building practices.

Ø Methods
Ø Products
Ø Systems

Section 1 Methods

Methods of Green Remodeling include many levels of impact. In Methods we also include the methods the remodeling company uses to perform their business.

Method of building remodeling projects with a high level of durability, therefore reducing the frequency of remodeling projects. Although this is a valid concept it is somewhat misleading. The majority of remodeling projects are initiated by people of means who are seeking to alter their homes or businesses for reasons that have more to do with aesthetics and space considerations than the durability of the previous construction. It could be argued, however, that by building durably as well as incorporating highly appealing “timeless” design the likelihood of a future remodel is decreased.
Method of constructing with carbon based products. By utilizing wood and other organic products carbon is locked into structures where it cannot decompose and is therefore “captured”. This method is particularly effective when utilizing wood materials which otherwise would have decomposed if not used in building. This method is invalid if causing the deforestation of old growth forests. This method is only valid when the wood product is fast growing new growth product or naturally felled wood. (examples: new growth poplar pine and spruce, bamboo, cork, Kirei, Palm, Sunflower Seed Husks, timber felled by natural disasters)
Method of constructing with recycled post consumer waste products. We will focus more on this in the Products section.
Utilizing fuel efficient vehicles in conducting business, scheduling jobs efficiently so that less fuel is consumed by subcontractors, employees, and generators. Working longer but fewer days to reduce travel/fuel usage to and from jobsite.
Remodeling Company’s Office: using 100% recycled paper products, utilizing renewable energy sources to heat/cool/power the office, refilling ink cartridges, reducing office power usage.

Section 2 Products

Using products manufactured by companies who have shown a commitment to our environment and to producing their products in an increasingly sustainable fashion.
Using products manufactured from post consumer recycled waste such as composite decking and trim materials and interior finish products.
Using wood products produced from fast growing farmed wood products. Avoid old growth lumber.(ForestStewardshipCouncil)
Use products with higher energy efficiency characteristics.
Use products that do not emit any VOC or other air contaminants to preserve indoor air quality.
Utilize products that produce energy.

Section 3 Systems

Heating and Cooling

Retrofit existing house with a Geothermal system which utilizes the relatively constant underground temperatures to heat or cool a building.
Construct a solar hot water system to preheat and store hot water which is run through radiant floor heating systems in the house on a dual thermostat setup.
Add a solar hot air system to a south facing roof that injects hot air into existing air return ducts on a building’s forced hot air heating system.
Install high efficiency wood or corn pellet stoves as supplemental heating sources.
Utilize construction methods to capture “passive solar” benefits.

Heating Water

Install a solar system which will preheat water to reduce the electric used in a water heater.
Install an “on demand” water heater which does not heat and store water, but rather heats water only when hot water is called for, significantly reducing the amount of energy used to heat water.

Electricity

Install photovoltaic panels or shingles which produce electrical power to be used in the building or sold back to the power company.
Install efficient lighting and appliances to reduce electrical consumption.
Install a wind turbine.

Thermal Barriers, Vapor Barriers and Indoor Air Quality

Drainage, Runoff and non-potable water systems

Milhaus · 04-07-2008, 11:44 PM

great start orson -

mark

dlcj · 07-06-2008, 05:23 PM

Has anybody seen the new tv channel called Planet Green (owned by discovery channel)? It debuted a few weeks ago with a series story on Greensburg Ks. ( the town that was leveled by a tornado in May 07). Theyre going to rebuild the entire town with green methods. Every home, buisness, dog house, school, church, roads everything. Will be the first all green town in the world. I watched the first 2 episodes and then the free time ran out. Now i have to upgrade my Dtv package to get the channel.

Does anybody know whats goin on out there?
Maybe some of you did some work on the project?