Maybe you’ve heard about building green and wondered what it is.

It’s simple: Building green means using products and techniques that save energy and/or water.

The result: instead of browning the environment through loss of trees, or polluted land, water, or air, we help it stay green –and blue.

Here are three ways you can Build Green.

Look for Energy Star Compliant Appliances

1. Use building components that reduce heating and cooling loads

Examples include structural insulated panels (SIPs), insulated concrete forms (ICFs), autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) blocks, and high-performance windows and glazings.

For more details see

“Building Materials: What Makes a Product Green?” in Environmental Building News.

2. Install equipment that conserves energy and manages loads

With energy-consuming equipment, such as water heaters, refrigerators, dishwashers and clothes washers, one can be guided partly by Energy Star® labeling. With lighting and lighting control equipment, certain generic products qualify, such as compact fluorescent lamps and occupancy/daylighting controls, while in other categories only a subset of products qualify.  Detailed standards and whole-house ratings can be obtained through the non-profit organization Build It Green.

3. Use renewable energy and fuel cell equipment

Equipment and products that enable us to use renewable energy instead of fossil fuels and conventional electricity are highly beneficial from an environmental standpoint. Examples include solar water heaters, photovoltaic systems, and wind turbines.

Benefits of building green:

Financial savings in electricity, other fuel and water bills.

More comfort from lack of drafts, better ventilation

Energy efficiency via passive solar, trees, better insulation, fluorescent lighting, double pane windows, fans, solar hot water, wind, tankless hot water heater and more…

Whether you’re building a new house or renovating an old one, you CAN build it green

and you will be glad you did.

For a consultation on linking your electrical needs to green building, contact Lori Katz Group.

Lutron Homeworks Certified Dealers and Installers