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Building green is a subject that’s on a lot of people’s minds, but few of us know how to go about it. Just what makes a building green, and what are today’s architects and engineers doing to improve the environmental friendliness of the structures they build. Here’s a look at some of the most important elements in green building design, and how they’re accomplished.

The most important criteria when evaluating a green structure is energy efficiency. Use of environmentally friendly and recycled materials is certainly important, but the majority of a structure’s environmental impact will arise not during its construction, but rather during its years of use. Just what constitutes energy efficiency is a subject of great debate, so individual research is required to decide what is most important to you.

One helpful scale for measuring energy efficiency is an established hundred-point scale by whose ratings similar structures can be compared. Furthermore, if structures rate at above 75 on this scale, they can qualify for the EPA’s Energy Star rating more commonly associated with appliances. One helpful tool in this process is the Target Finder, an EPA guideline for both constructing energy efficiently as well as improving efficiency later.

By entering an estimated energy consumption, a performance rating on the system’s construction is generated. Excellent examples of green design are eligible for special recognition by the EPA.

One key tool for success at green building is sound policy with simple, standardized metrics for all aspects of the design and construction process. Such metrics make it possible to not simply meet code, but also to aim for more aggressive and greener outcomes by attaining stricter energy standards.

Be sure to evaluate your progress toward the target during the process, a step which many organizations forget. This feedback loop will result in a greener outcome that, in general, conserves water and energy while employing environmentally sound materials and construction methods.

Green building is a complex area of study. To do so well and efficiently, it is essential to learn as much about the subject area as you can in order to make effective decisions with the greenest outcome.

Author: Jerry Dyess has been in the Commercial Energy business Texas Electric news for many years.

categories: green energy,home building,design,engineering

Although anyone can decide to install a wind powered system in there home there are some things that should be considered beforehand. Most people have questions about the system and this article will attempt to answer some of those questions.

Although anyone can install a wind turbine system in their home it is important to remember that there are federal regulations that have been set which require the electricity company that you are dealing with to connect the system. Before you go ahead and install the wind powered system in your home you need to contact your electricity company. They have to cooperate with you and connect the system. It is highly advisable that you contact the manufacturer of the system that you have chose and they will, in turn, work with the utility company to get the necessary approvals and also ensure that the system is up to code.

Wind turbines do not require you to change any of the wiring in your home. This is something that many people worry about when deciding whether or not to have one installed. The system can simply be fitted to most homes without any problems.

No wiring or appliances need to be changed when you install this type of system for electricity. When a wind energy system is installed in your home the electricity company you use will install an additional meter next to your regular electricity meter. This will measure the amount of electricity that the company is purchasing from your turbine.

You must have a tower if you want to install a wind turbine in your home for supplemental energy. An 80 to 120 foot tower is what is needed in most cases and is normally supplied with a wind turbine. You need to have a tall wind turbine because the wind that you need is usually generated this high in the air and not so close to the ground.

There are many different types of towers that you can use when you install a wind alternative energy source at your home. There are different types of towers and they all have different advantages. The guyed lattice tower is known as the best tower to use because it is so economical. The hinged tower is favored by many people because of the ease of installation and it also provides easier access for maintenance purposes.

There are many questions that people have about alternative electricity systems created by wind. Many people think that wind powered systems require changes of the wiring in the home and other things. When you install a wind energy system into your home you don’t have to change any of the wiring in the home.

You should plan on installing a tall tower for your electricity because the higher the tower is the more wind it will get. In addition, don’t think that your electricity company will not allow you to install a wind powered system. Anyone can install a system like this but they need to work with their utility company to make it happen properly.