Significant gains can be made to combat global warming by reducing energy use and improving energy efficiency.

The right mix of government regulation, energy-saving technologies and behavioral change can substantially reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the building sector.

Typically more than 80% of the total energy consumption takes place during the use of buildings, and less than 20% during construction.

Recognizing this, a push is on for a greater use of existing technologies such as thermal insulation, solar shading and more efficient lighting and appliances.

You do not need to use advanced and expensive high-tech solutions, but rather smart design and flexible energy solutions.

If you are interested in improving your health, saving money and conserving resources, call ABD today to explore your options.

Excerpts from www.USGBC.org

GREEN, so much more
than just a COLOR

Simply put, 'green design' is the only tool that will enable us to achieve a sustainable relationship with our environment.

C o r e   V a l u e s

1. Reduce the 'footprint' left upon the planet in the process of making a new product by utilizing low-impact, nontoxic, sustainably-produced or recycled materials that require less energy to convert from raw to finished state.
2. Design products, buildings and services to function in an environmentally-friendly manner are equally important for determining whether it is truly 'green'. The green design does not cause physical harm, consumes less energy, is engineered for quality and durability so it lasts longer with less maintenance, and is engineered for reuse or recycling.

S o c i e t a l   I m p a c t

Equally significant yet frequently omitted from the equation, is the societal impact of a design, including not only the environmental impact but also a more holistic view of the wider issues surrounding the life cycle of a design.

• Does the product continue to create waste, pollution or harm to the environment in its use?
• Does the manufacturing process harm or exploit the people that made it?
• Is it well made, efficient and functional to use?
• Is it designed to be easily maintained? At the end of its useful life, will it be easy to dispose of in a safe manner?
• Does the company act in a socially responsible way? Does it provide for and protect its employees? Is it a good member of the community?

Excerpts from www.greendesigns.com

Surprisingly, the cost premium for green buildings is nominal over that of traditional, "to-code" structures.

Wi d e s p r e a d   A c c e p t a n c e

Thanks to programs such as the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED rating system, green facilities have crept into the mainstream. There are about 500 million square feet under design, development and completion, but challenges toward widespread acceptance remain, a large one being the perception of cost,"

N o m i n a l   O u t f l o w ,   E x c e p t i o n a l   R e t u r n

Studies show that it costs anywhere from no extra cost to a nominal amount more to build green over the budget for a traditionally designed building. Basic green design doesn’t have to cost more.

One of the most referenced studies, performed for California’s Sustainable Building Task Force, concluded that the average premium for all 33 studied green buildings is slightly less than 2 percent ($3 to $5 per square foot). “The thing about green buildings is that they are much more cost effective if you do them as a whole rather than piecemeal.

I n c r e a s e d   P r o d u c t i v i t y

The biggest benefits of green building come in the form of benefits to the occupants. Four attributes of green building design: increasing control of ventilation, temperature and lighting as well as increasing daylight, have all been positively and significantly correlated with increased productivity. Indoor air quality has also been linked to potential productivity and health gains.

O b s o l e s c e n c e   R i s k

Traditionally-built facilities are beginning to face an obsolescence risk now that the costs of green building are proving to be negligible. Green buildings are growing at a rate of 40 to 50 percent each year. As energy pricing increases, the risks of conventional design are increasing. By 2009, between 20 and 25 percent of new construction will be green.

So call ABD today to discuss green building options for your home or office.

GREEN BUZZWORDS

Embodied Energy: The true environmental cost of making a product by calculating the amount of energy to extract and process the raw materials, manufacture, assemble, package, warehouse and transport.

Sustainably Harvested: Mature trees are selectively cut, allowing younger ones to replace them. Care is taken to remove logs so that minimal damage is done to forest.

Rapidly Renewable: For example, bamboo (which is a grass, not a wood) grows like a weed and cork, which spontaneously regenerates (naturally or artificially).

Non-renewable: materials that are not naturally replaced after they are harvested, such as stone and metals.

Off-gassing: Materials and chemical coatings that emit chemical fumes through evaporation, resulting in poor indoor air quality and potentially harmful health consequences.

In support of the Green Movement, two ABD employees are attending the U.S. Green Building Council’s certificate program and we are devoting this newsletter to spread the word about the benefits of going green.

  “We were very impressed with how neat the work site was. Your guys cleaned up after themselves, barely knew they were working in the house.”

- Bert & Pat Campbell