GO GREEN

LEED EB (OM)- Benefits and Strategies. Facts below

This section is broken down into 5 segments that primarily relate to reducing your Carbon Footprint by developing and implementing best practices for Existing Commercial Buildings; this can also relate to residential homes and schools.

Sustainable Sites

Exterior of the Building/Home

• Using low-impact equipment (i.e., electric powered equipment and the like) for exterior maintenance will significantly reduce emissions and noise.
• If you encounter snow, before the snow storm apply small portions of deicer and avoid (as necessary) using toxic chemicals (i.e., calcium chloride) to avoid the chemicals entering local waterways and ecosystems.
• Minimize your frequency of cleaning, as necessary, to maintain the site’s appearance.
• Use biodegradable and lower-impact cleaning products in place of products that contain chemicals to help keep the environment safe.  ”Green” cleaning products are carried in most major retailers and will be labeled accordingly.
• Use paints and sealants that contain low VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) to help reduce emissions.  Google “SCAQMD Rule 1168″  or “BAQMD Regulation 8, Rule 51″ for further explanation.

Insect/Pest & Erosion Control

• Use non-toxic methods to control pests and least-toxic methods when necessary.  Non-toxic means products that do not contain chemicals, therefore ensuring public safety not coming in contact with potentially harmful chemicals.
• Identify existing areas that have erosion and sedimentation problems and develop a plan to:  1) fix the problem and  2) plan for future problems and the necessary actions to fix the problems.  Doing this will help reduce sedimentation entering water bodies and prevent soil loss thus benefiting the environment.
• Periodically check your landscape to make sure there is nothing wrong.
• Divert landscape waste from landfills by using equipments such as mulching mowers, wood chipping machines and composting.
• Use native or adaptive plants to help reduce water and chemical use.
• Use organic and natural products as much as possible and avoid chemical fertilizers.

Alternative Ways to Commute

• Work from home, you will benefit the environment by not using as much gas and creating less emissions which helps reduce your carbon footprint.
• Trade your car for a zero-emission vehicle (ZEV), low-emitting vehicle (LEV) or fuel-efficient vehicle (FEV)
• Ride your bike to work.  Remember to wear your helmet and follow the rules so you do not get run over!
• All the above methods reduce your carbon footprint.
• Use public transportation as much as possible.
• Carpool with peers/neighbors/school kids.

Restore your Home/Building’s Site with natural vegetation

• Enhance natural vegetation that includes native or adaptive plants.  Using native or adaptive plants do not require as much water or chemicals as exotic/non-native plants.
• Go green by restoring as much of the site back to its natural vegetation using native or adaptive plants.
• Avoid non-native, invasive  and exotic plants as these typically require more water, maintenance and chemical fertilizers.

Manage Stormwater Runoff

• Use a system that capture’s stormwater and reuses, over time, for irrigation watering or toilet uses.  This benefits storm sewer’s and water body’s because you do not use them as much.

Reduce Heat Island Effect (for Roof’s and Non-Roof’s)

• Shade any hardscapes such as drive ways and parking lots to help reduce heat island effect (thermal gradient change between undeveloped and developed areas)
• Install parking garages underground or underneath the building.
• Install a pervious pavement where possible.
• Use light-colors (high albedo) instead of blacktop
• Install a vegetated (“Green”) roof to help capture stormwater and reduce heat island effect.
• Install a high-albedo roof to remit sunlight and lesson heat island effect.

Reduce Light Pollution

• Reduce or shield light fixtures that point towards the night’s sky.
• Make sure lights on your property do not cross your property’s boundary.

Water Efficiency (for homes and commercial buildings)

• Existing toilets- You can purchase aerators for toilets that have a gallon per flush ratio above 1.  This will help conserve and reduce water usage.
• Purchasing high-efficiency (low-flow, no-flow) plumbing fixtures and fittings (i.e., toilets, faucets, urinals) will save water.
• Track (with a water meter for commercial) your water usage/bill history to see how much water you typically use and then think of ways to reduce your water use (i.e., take shorter showers, take less showers, don’t leave water running when you don’t have to, water your grass on when necessary)
• (For Commercial) Develop a water management plan (improved water efficiency, nonpotable water, control chemicals) to reduce consumption of potable water to include:  irrigation, cooling towers, and all other potable water usage.
• Install high-efficiency irrigation systems that help reduce water usage.
• Divert rainwater runoff from entering the sewer and other waterway systems.  Installing grass swales, retention ponds,
• (Commercial Buildings) Install wastewater treatment systems onsite.
• (Commercial Buildings) Install a storm-water management capturing device and use the captured rain-water for high-efficient irrigation systems or high-efficient toilets.

Energy & Atmosphere (Power)

Use best management practices

• Plan and document your building’s systems and look for opportunities for improvement.  Include schedule, setpoints, lighting levels and include if different for seasons, days of the week ,etc.
• Define the building/homes operating needs and what is necessary to meet the needs.
• Think of preventative maintenance practices and be proactive in using them to help  reduce problems from occurring.
• Following the above will help you go green.

Get your building rated by Energy Star

• Go to EnergyStar.gov to learn more.

Manage Refrigerant

• Help go green by using non CFC based materials
• CFC’s are extremely harmful to the environment and deplete the Ozone layer.

Building Automation System (BAS)

• Have a computer-based BAS to monitor HVAC (vents/cooling/heating) and lighting.  This will ensure your building is running properly and going green.
• Be sure to properly instruct staff on using the system and have them think of ways to improve energy performance.
• Maximizing energy efficiency along with occupant comfort are the main reasons to have a BAS.

Materials & Resources (Recycling)

Air/Environmental Quality

Facts

This section is broken down into 5 segments

Sustainable Sites/Homes

• According to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), nearly 43% of America’s energy resources are used for transportation.
• According to the APTA, for every passenger mile traveled, public transportation emits 95% less carbon monoxide, 92% fewer VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) and almost 50% less carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides than private vehicles.
• According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2006 an estimated 24% of all workers in the U.S. used alternative forms of transportation, such as carpooling, walking, telecommuting, and public transportation.
• Using native or adaptive plants typically use less water and chemical fertilizers than non-native or exotic plants.
• According to the U.S. EPA, storm-water has been identified as a major source of pollution for all types of water bodies in the U.S.
• According to the U.S. EPA, ambient temperatures in urban areas are artificially increased anywhere from 1-10 degrees compared with surrounding areas.
• According to the USGBC, heat islands exacerbate air pollution, including smog, and increase cooling requirements, in turn increasing energy demand and emissions.
• According to the USGBC, light trespass from poorly designed outdoor lighting systems can affect the night sky and nocturnal animals.

Water Efficiency- Go Green

• According to the Energy Information System, Water heating in commercial buildings accounts for nearly 15% of building energy use.
• According to the USGBC, lower potable water use for toilets, showerheads, faucets, and other plumbing fixtures reduces water withdrawn from underground aquifers and from rivers, streams, and other waterbodies that support aquatic ecosystems.
• According to Anne Vazquez, Cooling tower systems are large consumers of water for a facility, with approximately 3 gallons of water per minute needed for each ton of refrigeration the system must provide.

Energy, Environment & Atmosphere

• According to the US Department of Energy, properly executed O&M programs that target energy efficiency have been shown to save 5%-20% on energy bills without significant capital investments.
• Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and Hydrofluorocarbons (HCFCs) deplete the ozone layer and cause Global Warming.  Go green and reduce the usage of CFCs and HCFCs.
• According to the US EPA, Simon Property Group implemented a Web-based tracking tool for energy use.  Between 2004-2005 Simon cut 6.8% of their electricity use compared to 2003 and saved 84,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions (enough electricity to power nearly 10,800 US homes for a year).

 Resources, Recycling & Materials

Indoor/Outdoor Environmental Quality