Green Homes, Buildings, and Design

Welcome to BuiltGreenNW.com! The focus of this site is to educate our visitors on a variety of topics related to green design and green construction.

Many people today are interested in sustainable design because of the energy savings that they provide. For example, heating and cooling needs within the average home amount to 56% of energy costs.

Green homes make use of more efficient mechanisms for generating heat or cool air. They also have the advantage of better insulation so that all the work is not wasted. Energy efficient windows are one method of providing this insulation. Shades and awnings outside of the home also help. You can invest in hydroponic systems for growing plants. They use considerably less amounts of water than traditional gardens.

All of these advantages result in significant savings on the monthly energy bill. Such savings add up over time. In fact, a lot of the green technology available today is known to pay itself off after a few years.

In addition to the savings which green building offers for the wallet, it also works to save the environment. It does this during all stages of its development for instance, green construction requires minimal use of precious and non-renewable resources of the planet. When it comes to the lumber necessary, better green design prevents an excess of waste material.

During the lifetime of an energy efficient home or other building, power costs are low. This can be done with energy efficient bulbs, such as CFLs, which require 75% less electricity to run. They also last far longer.

Many energy efficient appliances are operated within the home to provide similar benefits. They after at least the same amount of service as standard designs. However, they do so with much less energy use.

Along with energy efficient technology is the option of energy efficient use. By relying less upon electronics and lighting throughout the day, money can be saved. Another useful action is to unplug items which are not in use. This cuts down on the power required for the appliance to remain on standby. This standby power is also called "vampire drain."

As a compliment to energy efficiency, there are many renewable energy choices which can be made. These include utilizing geothermal, water, home wind turbines, and solar power. Particular attention is given to sun related technology here. This is because it is the most standard home application of a renewable.

When it comes to electricity, a homes and buildings can utilize solar panels created from solar cells. Arrays such as this directly convert sunlight into electricity. This field is known as photovoltaics.

Solar light options may also make use of photovoltaic panels. However, cheaper options come in the form of maximizing natural light. Skylights, light shelves, and light tubes are all great choices which fall under this more affordable category.

A solar product may also rely upon the thermal energy of the sun. A great example of this is the solar water heater. The technology which optimizes thermal power from the sun is also more affordable than things currently found in the field of photovoltaics. Of course, thermal applications are a bit more limited than electrical ones.

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