Telling It Like It Is...

orson

Quote:

Insight Prioritizing Green: It’s The Energy Stupid * An edited version of this Insight first appeared in the ASHRAE Journal. By Joseph W. Lstiburek, Ph.D., P.Eng., Fellow ASHRAE * Credit to architect Edward Mazria; I think he said this first, if he didn’t say it first he sure says it well. Many “green” buildings don’t save energy ( see “MISLEED- ING ” sidebar). Why? They have too much glass, they are over-ventilated, they are leaky to air, they are fraught with thermal bridges and they rely on gimmicks and fads rather than physics. Basically, the current green and sustainability craze can be summed up as architects and engineers behaving badly. The good news is that most of this nonsense can be easily remedied when adults finally get involved. The bad news is that the failures are beginning to bubble to the surface and we are in danger of ruining the “green brand.” 1 Before you can have a “green” building you need a building first. Presumably this building needs to be able to stand up, not be blown away in a hurricane, not fall down in an earthquake, not burn, not leak rainwater, not be moldy, not rot, not corrode and otherwise be able to meet applicable building codes such as having a basic provision for ventilation like that specified by Standard 62.1. So what’s with all these “green” programs providing “points” for “durability” and “indoor air quality”? I mean it’s pretty pathetic if we have to reward architects and engineers when they provide details and specifications that should be basic to fundamental 1 “Michael Zatz, manager of the commercial building program for Energy Star, an EPA program to promote energy-efficient products and practices . . . says Energy Star has a user-support line that gets calls from greenbuilding owners and managers who are disappointed in their building’s energy performance.” (4) practice. If you design and install a controlled ventilation system that meets Standard 62 you get points. You get more points if you keep the rain out and design the building to dry if it gets wet. And you get still more points if the occupants are actually comfortable. Aren’t these code requirements? Shouldn’t these be “the standard of care”? Have we architects and engineers sunk so low that we now get points if we meet basic building requirements that all buildings should meet in order to be called buildings? Green programs waste a lot of time and money on stuff that is obvious and more time and money on stuff that is irrelevant or unimportant. How about focusing on stuff that is important? It’s become “all about the points” and the important stuff gets ignored. Chasing “green points” doesn’t get you good buildings that are truly green. You can get a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating and not save any energy compared to traditional buildings. How can that possibly be green?

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MALCO.New.York

Have we not, in the past, Pissed upon each others shoes concerning this topic???????

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Brickie

Maybe, but it's still fun to piss on someones shoes some more

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orson

Not really. You've made it clear that you are at odds with the green movement because you see it as more of companies trying to capitalize on a marketing opportunity.

I on the other hand, market my company as a green company because I firmly and honestly believe that we must change the way we build and live to diminish the ill effects humanity is having on our planet.

I have benefitted exactly $0 from doing so, and may well have actually hurt my company by marketing it as green (I live in an EXTREMELY conservative area). However, I believe in "green" as I view it, and remain committed to it.

Did you read the article? I would have thought you would applaud the author's discordant voice with the powers of green that be.

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Lancaster Remodeling Contractor - Lancaster Remodeling
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MALCO.New.York

One-Thousand-Million-Percent POSITIVE!!!

It is the "Media Marketing/Branding" (and "Green" has nearly become a "Brand"!!!) that I take issue with!!!



POST SCRIPT:

.How could I NOT LIKE a Guy who includes ME in his Signature!!!! (even if he is bustin my Cajones!!)

__________________
Something to One may be Nothing to another!

Ultimate Wisdom---------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW-cnizLDEE

MALCO.New.York

.That was MY POINT!.

__________________
Something to One may be Nothing to another!

Ultimate Wisdom---------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW-cnizLDEE

orson

Point Taken!!

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Lancaster Remodeling Contractor - Lancaster Remodeling
Kitchen & Bath Remodeling PA- Bathroom Remodeling Lancaster PA
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SLSTech

I love the article, the only problem I see is that it needed to be written a few years earlier. LEED is getting to well entrenched & I am not sure they will be changing, or it will be harder for them to change. People concentrate to much on the word or the points - not the systems all put together. The concept is wonderful & basically common sense, its the execution of said concept thats wacked

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MALCO.New.York

Has ALWAYS been my "Nay-Saying point"!!!!

__________________
Something to One may be Nothing to another!

Ultimate Wisdom---------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW-cnizLDEE