Green Building underscores the awareness of the impact that buildings have on people's health and environment.  It is an approach to building that allows people to be more responsible with energy and natural resources.   Green buildings are sited, designed, constructed, and operated to enhance the well-being of their occupants and to minimize negative impacts on the community and the natural environment.

Disclaimer

Sustainable building is hot, and a flood of new products tout vague and cryptic claims to be green.  Don't believe everything you hear.  Look for trusted certification, get the facts, check for vested interests in following the manufacturer's money.  First and foremost, use your own judgment as to whether or not a product meets YOUR green goals.

Green Considerations

With your specific goals for green sustainable building, remember your green objectives and temper your action plan to the realities of cost, availability, and the environment.  Green construction implies environmental impact considerations in material matters, green building methods, green building systems, and site planning thoughtfulness. By considering green methods, materials, appliances, fixtures, products, and systems, you are attempting to reduce your own impact on the environment by doing something positive to better it!  QCNN applauds you in this effort and stands ready to assist you in any way possible.

There is a large and growing number of products, methods, systems, and design that accomplish your green objectives.  Some of these are listed below for your inspiration:

• Site Planning (Solar Impact)
• Sustainable harvest wood flooring
• New energy efficient appliances
• Water saving plumbing fixtures and devices
• Picking the right toilets, showers, and faucets
• Tankless or Solar water heaters
• Fluorescent or LED lighting
• Occupancy sensors
• High quality insulation and installation
• Propane (versus wood) fireplaces
• High efficiency HVAC system (ie. programmable thermostat to operate a Solar or Geo-Thermal system)
• Quality windows and doors
• Utilize green materials (i.e. exterior finishes such as Hardi siding, stone, ceramic, concrete)
• Close attention to storm water runoff
• Passive or active solar and thermal mass considerations
• Stopping air leakage (i.e. proper caulking and sealing)
• Air filters
• Window treatments
• Conditioned crawl-spaces
• Poured concrete foundations (versus CMU block foundations)
• Paints, wall coverings and carpets that have a low VOC rating.
• Material life-cycle considerations

The list above is just an abridged sample of what you may want to consider in going green and developing a green action plan for your construction project.

While products, practices, or techniques employed in green building are constantly evolving, there are fundamental principles from which the method is derived, including your consideration for:

● Energy Efficiency

● Water Efficiency

● Materials Efficiency

● Indoor Environmental Quality Enhancement

● Operations and Maintenance Optimization

● Reduction of Wastes and Toxins

Call QCNN today!  Together, lets make your Green ideas a reality!