Green Architecture – Interior Remodeling in Southern Climates

Suddenly, everyone is realizing the fact that carbon emissions and our American way of life in general are destroying the planet and making us, with each passing day, more energy dependent on Venezuelan or Middle Eastern oil. So, when we undertake a general or partial interior remodel, what should we take into account? And will “going green” help us to be healthier too?

Both LEED for Homes and the Florida Green Building Coalition address these issues through a point system for greenhouse certification. What can we learn from these two systems and apply them to interior remodeling?

MOST IMPORTANT ITEMS OF THE OVEN

For my money, there are four things they will do more to make an interior remodel energy efficient:

1. A very high energy efficiency rating (SEER) for the air conditioning system

2. Add windows whenever possible to provide as many cross-ventilated rooms as possible

3. Ceiling fans

4. Overhangs over all windows or plant shade trees outside windows.

Then after these 4 points, there are many that are also very important.

NO AIR HANDLERS OR DUCTS IN NON-CONDITIONED SPACES

There is no air handler or ductwork in unconditioned spaces like attics or garages. This is important for both health and energy efficiency reasons. If the ducts are placed in unconditioned spaces, the ducts, which have small leaks, will lose cool air through these small openings. The air handler, if placed in this type of space, will draw in warmer air and have to work harder than if it were in an air-conditioned space.

Additionally, using caulk to seal all conduit connections provides a seal that is much less prone to failure than tape.

EFFICIENT WINDOWS

Windows tinted with a high efficiency rating are also an important element in maintaining a comfortable temperature inside interior spaces.

ECOLOGICAL INSULATION

Insulation in the attic is another very important element to cool the interior environment. All remodels should consider providing new eco-friendly attic insulation for any air-conditioned space. Four types are as follows:

o Recycled cellulose insulation

o Recycled cotton denim insulation

o Recycled mineral wool insulation

o Board made of recycled perlite

SOLAR WATER HEATING SYSTEM

A large part of a home’s energy use is dedicated to heating the water. If an interior remodel is going to include areas that use plumbing, a solar water heater should be considered. Fifty to seventy percent of the average home’s hot water needs can be provided inexpensively with a modest-sized solar water heater.

LOW FLOW SHOWER

Shower heads and faucets should have a maximum flow rate of 2.5 gallons per minute at 80 psi water pressure. Today, there are accessories available on the market that exceed these standards. Laminar flow controls that deliver a precise volume of water at faucets, shower heads, and hose outlets can also be used. Unlike conventional water saving fittings that provide different flow rates in response
To vary line pressure, accessories equipped with laminar flow controls provide a constant rate.

NO GARBAGE DISPOSAL

If a kitchen remodel is in the pipeline, avoiding the installation of a garbage disposal will make the remodel more environmentally friendly. Garbage disposals are notorious wastes of water.

DOUBLE FLOW OR LOW FLOW TOILETS

Between thirty and forty percent of indoor water use in a home is due to toilet use. Use toilets that exceed a flow rate of 1.6 gallons / flush. Products with the WaterSense label are 20% more efficient than other toilets.

OVEN / ENERGY EFFICIENCY RANGE

Oven tests show that only 6% of a typical oven’s energy output is actually absorbed by food. Most of the heat goes to the metal and the surrounding air space. With additional insulation and tighter door seals and hinges, the new ovens save energy.

o Gas ovens with new electronic pilotless ignition instead of a pilot light will be 30% more efficient

than one with pilot. A gas appliance consumes much less energy than an electric one.

Because of this, a gas appliance costs about half to operate.

o A self-cleaning oven has more insulation and is therefore more economical to operate.

o For electric hobs there are several options: solid disk elements and radiant elements underneath

glass takes longer to heat up and consumes more electricity. More efficient than conventional electric

coil elements, induction elements require you to use only iron or steel pots and pans.

Aluminum cookware does not work with induction elements.

o The extractor hood must ventilate to the outside and not simply recirculate. This is for health

reasons and not energetic reason.

CERTIFIED SUSTAINABLE WOOD

Certified sustainable sawn wood is sourced from a sustainably managed forest. The two best known certifying organizations: the Forest Stewardship Council and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.

RECYCLED CONTENT PLASTER WALL

If there is a local source for recycled drywall, using this product will make the remodel more environmentally friendly.

ECOLOGICAL SOILS

The use of green flooring for remodeling contributes greatly to a “green” status:

o Bamboo flooring

o Cork floors.

o Natural linoleum.

o Tiles made from recycled glass or other material with 100% recycled content

o Reuse of reclaimed wood.

o Nationally produced hardwood materials from sustainably managed forests.

o Concrete (stamped, stained, etc.)

o Recycled content carpets and rugs

o Carpets / rugs and rugs of natural content: the rugs / mats must be composed of

materials such as wool, jute and hemp.

CONCRETE WITH ASH FLY

Concrete with 18% of the total cement consisting of fly ash or blast furnace slag can be used where concrete is used except for structural elements.

LOCALLY PRODUCED MATERIALS

Materials that are produced locally use much less energy for transportation than materials that are produced on the other side of the world and have to be transported by plane, truck, or shipped to the job site.

ENERGY STAR ADVANCED LIGHTING PACKAGE

Ceiling fans, indoor lighting fixtures, and Energy Star bulbs can save energy in the long run. Use them whenever possible.

USE OF GRAY WATERS

Water use can be conserved by reusing domestic wastewater from any source except toilets and kitchen sink, this includes laundry, shower / bath, faucets, and dishwashers. It can also include air conditioning condensate. The reuse of gray water for garden irrigation presents a great opportunity for water conservation. Most of the water consumption in a southern house is for garden irrigation. Although this can be done theoretically, some building departments have not adopted codes that allow this system to be installed.

REUSE OF CONDENSED AIR CONDITIONING

Air conditioning condensate can also be considered a source of gray water. Annual air conditioning condensate volume can average between 1,500 and 3,500 gallons. Inexpensive purification devices are available that make the water usable for pool filling, irrigation, or make-up water for water-cooled air conditioning units.

RAIN WATER IN THE CROPS

A system to collect rainwater can be installed, and the water can be used for toilet flushing.

CENTRAL DEHUMIDIFICATION SYSTEM

In addition to controlling humidity and comfort, most central dehumidification equipment also allows fresh air to enter from outside, thus improving ventilation in the home.

CONTROL SOURCE

o Use low or no volatile organic compound (VOC) paints, stains and finishes

o Use low VOC sealants and adhesives.

o Do not use exposed urea-formaldehyde particle board, use phenol-formaldehyde resin

o Minimize the use of carpets

A remodel that covers all these areas is doing its best to do its part in saving energy for the owner and the country, and providing a healthy environment for the inhabitants of the house.