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Group adopts national approach to help save energy, environment
(Daily Oklahoman, The (KRT) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) May 31--With all things "green" red hot and getting hotter as energy costs rise, the Oklahoma State Home Builders Association's adoption of the national green building standards seems especially timely.
The state association's board of directors voted to make the National Association of Home Builders' National Green Building Standard its own, said David Ritchie of Chisholm Creek Development in Enid, president of the state association.
Now, Ritchie said, it's up to the marketplace, which is already demanding some green products, to become aware of the more systematic approach to building homes that conserve energy and protect the environment. He said that's part of the reason for adopting the standard: making people aware of it.
"We really did not want to reinvent the wheel," said Todd Booze, president of construction for Ideal Homes in Norman and chairman of the state association's Green Building Council. "Our national association has spent a lot of time and effort in establishing the guidelines for an across-the-board approach to green building. We felt that the adoption of this program for our members was the most prudent choice."
The state association used green principles in the renovation of its own headquarters building at 917 NE 63. For example, the heat pump, new insulation, carpet and compact fluorescent lights used are green products. Preassembled trusses, built to spec off site using engineered lumber, were used for ceiling support after some walls were removed.
Green concepts outlined
Booze outlined seven guiding principles used in a points system to determine how "green" a builder actually builds:
-- Lot design, preparation and development.
This ranges from utilizing infill sites to take advantage of existing infrastructure, to managing storm water runoff, to providing open spaces in a new neighborhood, to minimizing slope for erosion control and using native landscaping.
-- Resource efficiency.
For example, reducing the amount of materials used with advanced framing techniques, the use of recycled materials in products such as bricks, engineered lumber, oriented strand board, and having on-site recycling for materials such as shingles, Sheetrock and concrete.
-- Energy efficiency.
This is a broad approach to design of the building envelope and mechanical system, improved insulation installation techniques, proper windows, caulking, foaming, sealing, the use of Energy Star-rated appliances, among other things, verified by a third party.
-- Water efficiency.
Examples include tankless water heaters, water heaters within 30 feet of kitchens and bathrooms, low-flush toilets and water-efficient showerheads and sink faucets.
-- Indoor environmental quality.
This ranges from the use of nonpolluting carpets, pads, flooring adhesives, plywoods, panels, paints and caulks, to an outdoor source of combustion and ventilation air for space heating, to moisture management to careful management of pollutants created in the home by normal living.
-- Operation, maintenance and homeowner education.
Examples include household recycling, the use of compact fluorescent lights, careful maintenance and other "green" habits.
-- Global impact.
Examples include the selection of low-VOC indoor paints and construction adhesives (low in volatile organic compounds, or, pollution) and buying local products if possible, which reduces pollution from transportation.
No 'greenwashing'
The national program is awaiting certification by the American National Standards Institute, Ritchie said.
"This makes for a true third-party certification, setting the gold standard for all programs for consistency of product," he said. "This will mean a lot to the confidence of the consumer. We wanted to make sure that our program was not just a 'greenwashing.' Greenwashing means someone is claiming they build green without it truly being a comprehensive program."
Builder Mike Gilles, past president of the state association, researched approaches to green building to help the directors decide whether to create their own or adopt one.
The National Association of Home Builders' green standard is the gold standard, he said.
"To claim to be green, you have to do what the guide says to do," Gilles said.
To see more of The Oklahoman, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.newsok.com.
Copyright (c) 2008, The Oklahoman
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
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