GREEN BUILDING

The Oklahoma Society of the American Institute of Building Design enthusiastically endorses "Green Building".   Since passage of the National Home Builders Association's "National Green Building Standard" by the Oklahoma State Home Builders Association enabling builders to become Certified Green Builders, Oklahoma AIBD has stepped up "green building" education opportunities for its members.  This knowledge and experience will enable AIBD designers to provide design and construction documents needed by these "Green Builders", as well as individual homeowners who wish to minimize the negative environmental impact while building a new home or renovating an existing structure.

Successful green building begins during the design phase - the time at which site orientation and material selection occurs.   Resource efficiency is obtained through a floor plan that maximizes a home's functionality; advanced framing techniques that reduce building material usage and waste while maintaining the structural integrity of the home; and a layout and dimensions that minimize material cuts.  Efficient design and specification of appropriate materials optimizes the use of natural resources.

Other important factors of "green building" include:

• Specifying properly sized heating and cooling systems using ANSI/ACCA Manual J calculations.

• Specification of proper insulation, windows, and doors; increasing overhangs on south and west elevations; and minimizing door and window openings.

• Usage of water-conserving appliances, showerheads, faucets, and toilets.

• Usage of energy-efficient appliances and fixtures.

The benefits for homeowners who build green include:

• Lower operating costs

• Increased comfort

• Less maintenance

• Enhanced durability

• Overall improvement to the environment.

Go to these links for more information about green building:

www.nahbgreen.org   National Association of Home Builders - National Green Building Program

www.energystar.gov   EPA's Energy Star Programs

www.usgbc.org    U.S. Green Building Council

www.usgbc.org/leed   USGBC's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

www.natresnet.org    Residential Energy Services Network

www.gwssi.com    Guaranteed Watt Savers (OKC) – Engineers, Consultants, Inspectors