Green Building in TX? Really?
By Armando Cobo CGP, CAPS, CGA
Yes!!! Green, green and more green… and if you think this “Green Thing” is going away, think again. We find “Green” every day in the news, in the products we buy, in conversations at IBS and the NAHB Green Building Conference, also those “other” guys at the USGBC or the United States Green Building Council and their LEED for Homes program, and even the Government with its Energy Star Program and President Obama, who has made Green Building a pivotal part of the Economical Recovery of our nation.
The days some of us were called “greenies”, “spotted owl lovers”, “tree huggers” or just simply “wackos” are over!!! (Though some of you will call me that regardless). Today WE are cool (yeah!!! I am cool); we are on the cutting edge and leading the charge in this new age of construction. Today we look at buildings as a whole system and we design and build them with the right materials, specifications and methods. We want our buildings to last 100 years or more not just the length of the loan and in some cases just to get over the “one-year warranty”.
In a 2006 NAHB-McGraw-Hill Market report, DOE information and the US Energy Information Act stated:
1.In 1950 homes had 3.37 people per household or 297 sf. per person. Today we have 2.4 people per household or almost 1,000 sf. per person.
2.The residential sector consumes 40% of all energy produced in the nation and 74% of the water. It also contributes 21% of the U.S. carbon dioxide emissions and the indoor air quality has 4 to 5 times the levels of pollutants to the outside.
3.In 2005, green building was 2% of existing buildings. By 2010 it is expected to be 10%. It translates to $38 billion in NEW residential construction.
4.60% of builders claim that homebuyers are willing to pay 11-25% more for green building. Most builders report a 2-5% increase in costs.
5.Builders consider the most important features to be: 99% Energy Efficiency, 96% Green Site, 93% Indoor Air Quality, 93% Materials and Resources, 92% Water Conservation.
6.Builders consider the most important options to be: 92% High-Efficiency HVAC System, 90% Low-E Windows, 88% Energy Efficient Appliances.
So, What is Green Building? Green Building is the practice of designing and building structures that increase our resources – Materials, Water and Energy – at the same time we reduce the negative effects on human health and the environment. Today, we look at how we site, design, construct, operate and maintain our buildings by developing better design techniques and increasing efficiencies, air quality, owner education and sustainability.
There are as many Green Building programs in the United States as you care to count, but in the last three to four years the NAHB, the USGBC and Energy Star have developed national guidelines and standards that it appears most municipalities and local Green Building programs are embracing. The International Code Council, or ICC, is currently developing the International Green Construction Code, or IGCC. The State of Texas through the State Energy Conservation Office, or SECO, is currently viewing the implementation of the 2009 IECC. If you live in an area where the Energy Code is 2003 IECC, you are for a rude awakening. The 2009 IECC is still 15% more energy efficient than the 2006 IECC, which bigger municipalities in Texas follow.
Here in Texas, the Green Built Texas program is a partnership of the home building industry committed to the promotion, education, awareness and certification of energy efficient, high performing and lower environmental impact homes in Texas.
Green Building Programs are generally divided into six main categories:
1.Lot Design, Preparation and Development:
- Form a sustainable team
- Site selection, development and design.
- In-fill or new development, infrastructure and community resources.
2.Resource Efficient:
- Quantity of materials, durability and reduced maintenance.
- Reuse, use recycle-content materials and recycle materials.
- Renewable and resource-efficient materials.
3.Energy Efficient:
- Integrated energy efficient design.
- Prescriptive or performance path.
4.Water Efficiency:
- Indoor and outdoor water use
5.Environmental Quality:
- Minimize pollutants.
- Manage pollutants generated in the home.
- Moisture management.
- Global impact.
6.Operation, Maintenance and Homeowner Education:
- Homeowner manual.
- Homeowner education
- Solid waste
Always remember, 90% of green building is in the design. Make sure you start with a team of real experts. Contact a green consultant, architect or designer, a HERS rater, a good HVAC contractor, a mechanical engineer and an open mind. We do not build homes the same way than we did 50 years a go, not even 5 years a go. Taking a finished set of plans for a consultant to “green it” maybe too late, and you’ll end up spending more money in the long run.
There are many advantages to green building: Greater efficiency, improved durability and air quality, reduce maintenance and callbacks, higher potential resale value and greater customer satisfaction means more referrals… in essence, it is a bad idea to kill your clients.
For more information on the Green Built Texas, Energy Star and LEED for Homes programs contact Phil Crone at the Greater Dallas Home Builders Association, or www.greenbuiltnorthtexas.com, or you can contact Armando Cobo at 972-781-9248, or
About the Author: Armando Cobo, owner of Armando Cobo, Designer, is a Residential Designer and Green Consultant of Green Building homes. Armando is a member of the Greater Dallas Home Builders Association and the Green Built TX program; and is a Certified Green Building Instructor for the National Home Builders Association as well.
