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ecomii Green Building Articles
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| Zero-Net-Energy Buildings |
| A zero-net-energy building would provide all of its own energy on an annual basis from onsite renewable resources or offsite renewable energy purchases. |
| Xeriscaping |
| Xeriscaping is a term used for water-conserving landscaping practices that include regionally appropriate plants and planting techniques. |
| Wind Power |
| Wind power is the largest source of new renewable energy in the US, with nearly 2,500 megawatts of capacity coming online and feeding into the nation’s utility grid in 2006 alone, representing an investment of $4 billion. |
| US Green Building Council |
| The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) was formed in 1993 to transform the building marketplace into a more environmentally responsible activity. |
| Urban Heat Island Effect |
| The urban heat-island effect was first documented in the 1960s when scientists noticed that cities were noticeably hotter than the surrounding countryside. |
| Radiant Heating and Cooling |
| Radiant heating and cooling systems are highly efficient ways of bringing temperature comfort to buildings and homes. |
| Triple Bottom Line |
| The triple bottom line represents a new way of thinking about green buildings and sustainability. |
| Thermal Energy Storage |
| Thermal energy storage is a simple concept: make ice or chilled water when power is cheap, then avoid buying electricity to operate mechanical cooling systems when it is expensive. |
| Sustainable Sites |
| Picking the proper location is a major factor in any green design project. |
| Sustainable Design |
| According to author and architect Jason McLennan, “sustainable design is a design philosophy that seeks to maximize the quality of the built environment, while minimizing or eliminating negative impact to the natural environment.” |
| Stormwater Management |
| Effective stormwater management is a basic component of sustainable design, both in terms of supplying building water and protecting surrounding areas. |
| Solar Thermal Systems |
| Solar thermal systems are an efficient and affordable way to heat your water and home. |
| Right-Sizing Systems |
| Ensuring that your building systems are the right size can be a huge part of keeping its design green. |
| Recycled-Content Materials |
| In the LEED system, credit is given to projects in which recycled content represents more than 10% of the total value of all building materials. |
| Rapidly Renewable Materials |
| In the LEED system, the category of rapidly renewable materials includes anything that can be grown and harvested in less than ten years. |
| Rainwater Reclamation/Reuse |
| In addition to water conservation, rainwater reclamation can help reduce stormwater runoff from building sites. |
| Platinum Buildings |
| LEED Platinum, the highest certification level for green buildings, is an impressive statement of environmental efforts. |
| Photovoltaics |
| Photovoltaic solar electric systems have been around since the 1950s and have been used extensively in world’s space programs to power satellites, the International Space Station and other spacecraft needing power for operations. |
| Permeable Pavement |
| Permeable pavement allows water to infiltrate directly into the ground, instead of running off into the streets, storm drains and eventually into rivers and oceans, polluting them with oil and grease. |
| Passive Solar Design |
| Passive solar design refers to a number of intelligent building design techniques that reduce or eliminate the use of fossil fuels and electricity for heating, cooling and lighting buildings. |
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