Some are making the choice for healthier environment, lifestyle

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Building 'green' promotes efficiency

Some are making the choice for healthier environment, lifestyle

Friday, April 21, 2006

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BY HOPE LASH

News Special Writer

With increasing fuel bills, there are non-traditional ways to build

and remodel that will put money back in your pocket and help the

environment.

Building a " green'' home refers to a method that not only makes

homes look better but makes them more efficient.

A green home uses designs and construction techniques that promote a

healthier living environment, less maintenance, lower utility bills

and water efficiency. For every remodeling project there is green

remodeling option that can be implemented.

Locally, however, the green building movement is still in its

infancy.

" We don't have a lot going at the local level,'' said Carol Kull,

executive director of the Home Builders Association of Livingston

County. " However, some standard building practices have already been

incorporated by many builders that are environmentally friendly.''

Lee Schwartz, executive vice president for government relations at

the Michigan Association of Home Builders, agrees. " A lot of home

builders are already doing green building practices like lot design;

avoiding environmentally sensitive areas; landscaping with

regionally appropriate grasses and vegetation; and planting trees

for protection and shade.''

Many Michigan builders already offer energy conservation features in

standard construction projects. " Our builders will use cellulose

insulation: water efficient faucets and toilets; building materials

from renewable resources; recycled content material like decking;

energy efficient hot water heaters, appliances and others,''

Schwartz continued.

Homeowners can begin a green remodeling or building project by

putting health and safety issues first; and then finding green

solutions that best fit individual remodeling or building needs.

Decks made from recycled plastic and fibers, durable tile or

linoleum for floors, 50-year roofing materials and cement siding are

just some of the premium green building products that will

outperform their traditional counterparts.

The Howell-based First National Bank's M-36 branch is one of the few

green buildings in Livingston County. When the office was built,

more than one-third of the materials came from within a 500-mile

radius.

Recycled materials were selected as environmentally friendly

alternatives to standard materials. The building has ceramic tile

made from recycled glass; insulation made from recycled newspapers,

wall coverings from wood pulp and bio-composite countertops.

" Our bank is community orientated and we're concerned about the

environment,'' said Branch Manager Laurie Trapp. " This is the first

branch where the site development was based on state-of-the-art

green building strategies.''

The bank installed energy-efficient products such as ground source

heat pumps for heating and cooling, an instant-on hot water system

and an advanced lighting system. These building decisions have

allowed the building to reduce its energy usage by more than 56

percent. Homeowners can experience similar savings if they choose

these types of heating and cooling products, experts say.

" The branch cost more to build, but the return on our investment is

going to be quite substantial,'' said Trapp. " Over 75 percent of the

construction waste was recycled and we continue to recycle inside

the building.''

A green remodel can be good for you. Green designs maximize fresh

air and natural light. Low-toxic materials and good ventilation

techniques can help prevent problems such as mold, allergens and

poor air quality.

" As an asthmatic, I've always had several colds during the winter

and breathing problems,'' Trapp noted, " but since I started working

at this branch, I haven't had a problem.''

Skylights, additional windows, sensored lighting and dimmers were

all part of a plan to use the most natural lighting available. " Even

on a dim day, it still feels good in here,'' said Gail Smalley, a

bank customer from Whitmore Lake.

Green building materials cost less to transport. Recycled-content

materials utilize materials that would otherwise sit in landfills

and pollute the earth.

Learn more about the products and choices for a healthier and

environmentally friendly home on the Internet at sites such as

www.seattle.gov/sustainablebuilding.