In the long term, the economy and the environment are the same thing. If it's unenvironmental it is uneconomical. That is the rule of nature. - Mollie Beattie, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1996

Sustainable design preserves the balance of economic, environmental and social considerations throughout the life of a building. Doing simple things can greatly reduce energy costs, especially when considered at the blueprint stage. The following sustainable design and construction practices can help you to turn sustainability into savings in terms of economy, energy and the environment.

1. Passive Cooling & Heating
   Optimize building siting and orientation to take advantage of shading provided by natural vegetation, reduce summer heat gain, provide shelter from winter winds, and capture summer breezes.
   
   Passive Solar Cooling
   A Department of Energy (DOE) web site that discusses design strategies that minimize the need for mechanical cooling systems.
   
   Passive Solar Architecture - Heating
   An Arizona Solar Center web site.
   
   Passive Cooling
   An Arizona Solar Center web site.
   
   Passive Solar Heating & Design
   A Whole Building Design Guide web page.
   
   Passive Solar Strategies
   Published by Austin Energy's Green Power Program. Passive solar design refers to the use of the sun's energy for the heating and cooling of living spaces. In this approach, the building itself or some element of it takes advantage of natural energy characteristics in materials and air created by exposure to the sun. Passive systems are simple, have few moving parts, and require minimal maintenance and require no mechanical systems.
   
   Sun Control and Shading Devices
   A Whole Building Design Guide web page.
   
   Landscaping for Energy Savings
   Ideas for shading, windbreaks, arbors and vines, and absorbent and reflective materials.
   
   

   Advanced Air Sealing
   This guide explains basic principles of air sealing, illustrated with details for basic wood frame construction.

2. Natural Lighting
   Design to optimize natural lighting, provide for task lighting, and specify high-efficiency electric lighting.
   
   

   The National Lighting Bureau (NLB)
   The NLB is a nonprofit organization founded in 1976 to educate lighting decision-makers about the benefits of High-Benefit Lighting®. The NLB is sponsored by professional societies, trade associations, manufacturers, utilities, and agencies of the federal government. This NLB brochure explains the TAX BENEFITS available for high-efficiency lighting as authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and it offers resources for additional information.
   
   Lighting and Daylighting
   This U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) web site provides information on available lighting technologies, as well as those that are emerging, to help in selecting the best lighting products for your building.
   
   How Windows Affect Heating and Cooling Costs

   Daylighting
   A Whole Building Design Guide web page.
   
   Windows and Glazing
   A Whole Building Design Guide web page.
   
   Sustainable Building Sourcebook: Lighting
   Published by Austin Energy's Green Power Program.
   
   Sustainable Building Sourcebook: Natural Daylighting
   Published by Austin Energy's Green Power Program.
   
   Daylighting in Schools: Improving Student Performance and Health
   
   Install Skylights or Light Pipes
   
   Energy Features of Glazing

3. Energy Budget
   Establish an energy budget for each project.
   
   Life-Cycle Cost Analysis
   
   Cost-Effective Buildings
   
   
4. Support Your Community
   Specify locally or regionally produced products when possible. Local products support the local economy and will most likely use less energy and fewer resources during the production process and in transportation.
   
   
5. Minimize Waste
   Design to minimize cut-off waste and provide for recycling during construction. By making choices that decrease the amount of waste that is generated, a builder can positively affect the environment by minimizing the amount of material that is sent to the landfill while saving time, effort and money. Resources:
   
   Construction Waste
   A Sustainable Sources web site, which defines construction waste and offers guidelines on recycling and on cutting down on waste.
   
   Construction and Demolition Waste Management and Sustainable Building Design
   A U. S. Department of Defense publication.
   
   Energy and Environmental Guidelines for Construction
   A DOE web site.
   
   Construction Site Waste: A New Profit Center?
   
   
6. Reduce Volatile Organic Compound Emissions
   Specify materials and finishes with low or no volatile organic compound emissions, and provide ventilation as described in ASHRAE 62-1989 "Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor air quality."
   
   ASHRAE
   
   ASHRAE Standard 62-89 Analysis by TRANE
   
   
7. Environmental Concerns
   When selecting products and materials, consider energy, water, materials consumption, transportation, and impacts on natural systems. Ask for healthy, environmentally-friendly products. Consider opportunities to provide shelter or habitat for compatible species as well as to restore waterways, vegetation, and habitats.
   
   
8. Landscaping
   Landscape with native vegetation, preserve natural terrain and other features. Planting with native vegetation reduces water and irrigation demands. Resources:
   
   Plantings in the Sustainable Landscape (DOE)
   Landscape Design and Management (DOE)
   Water-wise Landscaping (Austin Energy)
   
   
9. Water Management
   Design with water management in mind. The primary goal of sustainable stormwater management is to generate no additional runoff from the existing site as compared to undeveloped conditions. Sound water management requires planning to ensure it is positively affecting daily operations and that water efficiency practices are being implemented. Low-flow plumbing devices and landscaping irrigation systems can significantly reduce water demand.
   
   Exterior Water Management (DOE)
   Water Efficiency (DOE)
   Water Heating (DOE)
   Sustainable Building Sourcebook: Water (Austin Energy)
   EPA Safe Drinking Water Act
   Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands
   
   
10. Minimize Impervious Surface
    Minimize impervious surface and provide for infiltration and retention of storm-water to minimize contaminant loading. Pervious materials and storm water harvesting systems can retain water on a site. Harvested storm water can be used for landscaping and other non-potable applications, moderating demand for water from municipal systems, decreasing the amount of energy that is required for the treatment process, and mitigating costs.
    
    
11. Natural Ventilation
    Maximize natural ventilation for a healthy and productive indoor environment, such as using air-to-air heat exchangers and appropriately placed windows. Effective ventilation can dramatically reduce the need for air conditioning.
    
    Sustainable Building Sourcebook: Energy Recovery Ventilators
    Published by Austin Energy's Green Power Program.
    
    Radiant Barriers, Ridge and Soffit Venting (Austin Energy)
    
    Natural Ventilation
    A Whole Building Design Guide web page.
    
    Ventilation Rates and Health
    ASHRAE Journal, August 2002
    
    
12. Indoor Environmental Quality
    A building's indoor environmental quality is the most important factor in the ultimate success of its design.
    
    Enhance Indoor Environmental Quality
    A Whole Building Design Guide web page.
    

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