Conserving Water

Did you know that less than 1% of all the water on Earth can be used by people? The rest is
salt water (the kind you find in the ocean) or is frozen. Communities across the country are
starting to face challenges in maintaining healthy and affordable water supplies; that's why
it's more important than ever to use our water wisely and not waste it. In addition, it takes
large amounts of energy to produce and transport clean water and to process waste water.
A typical household uses approximately 260 gallons of water every day. We can reduce this
amount and save money by using water more efficiently -- detecting and fixing leaky faucets,
installing high efficiency clothes washers and toilets, and watering the lawn and garden with
the minimum amount of water needed.

Water-Efficient Appliances and Fixtures
Landscaping and Irrigation
Managing Stormwater
Water Use and Energy
Home Maintenance and Household Practices
New Homes

Indoor Water Conservation

Bathroom
- Each flush wastes water. Dont use the toilet as a wastebasket.

- Check toilets for leaks. Use food coloring or a leak detection tablet in the toilet tank.

- If color appears in the bowl without flushing, there is a leak that requires immediate
attention.

- Reduce the water level per flush by installing a ultra low-flow toilet or a toilet
displacement device.

- Use a plastic bottle weighted with pebbles and water.

- Never use a brick.

- Check faucets and pipes for leaks. A small drip can waste 20 or more gallons of water
per day.

- Dont let the bathroom sink run while wetting your toothbrush, brushing your teeth or
when shaving. Use a glass of water to rinse or clean your razor in a small pool of
water.

- Check faucets and pipes for leaks. A small drip can waste 20 or more gallons of water
per day.

- Install water-efficient showerheads and take shorter showers


Kitchen

- Only wash dishes when necessary. Turnthe dishwasher on only when it is full.

- Use both sides of the sink when washing dishes by hand. Use one side to wash and the
other side to rinse. Do not wash dishes under a running faucet.

- Install low-flow fixtures, then buy and install aerators for every faucet in the house.

- Keep a bottle or pitcher of drinking water in the refrigerator. This eliminates letting
the tap run while waiting for the water to get cold.

- Clean vegetables in a pan of water and not under a running faucet.

- Water used to clean vegetables can also be used to water houseplants.

- In-sink garbage disposal devices use roughly 11.5 gallons of water each day.

- Try composting organic wastes instead of throwing them away.

Laundry

- Pre-rinse clothes only when absolutely necessary.

- Use the proper water level, load size selection and water temperature when washing
clothes.

- Consider installing a water efficient washing machine.


Water-Efficient Appliances and Fixtures

Most of us know we can save water if we turn off
the tap while brushing our teeth (as much as 3,000
gallons per year!), but did you know that there are
products that will help save water when the tap is
on? WaterSense and ENERGYSTAR

, programs
sponsored by EPA, have identified high-
performance, water-efficient appliances, fixtures,
water systems, and accessories that reduce water use
in the home and help preserve the nation's water
resources.

Toilets
Although they take a bit more attention than ordinary toilets, composting toilets can help
conserve water and energy, reduce water pollution, and may generate useful garden compost.
Check to see if composting toilets are allowed under your local building codes.

Toilets are by far the main source of water use in the home, accounting for nearly 30 percent
of residential indoor water consumption. Toilets also happen to be a major source of wasted
water due to leaks and inefficiency.

Older toilets, manufactured before 1992 when the Energy Policy Act mandated water
efficient toilets, use up to 3.5 gallons per flush. Replacing these toilets with WaterSense
labeled toilets could save nearly 2 billion gallons per day across the country. Switching to
high-efficiency toilets can save a family of four, on average, $2,000 in water bills over the
lifetime of the toilets. There are a number of high-efficiency toilet options, including dual
flush technology. Dual flush toilets have two flush volumes-a full flush for solids and a
reduced flush for liquids only. Whether you're remodeling a bathroom, building a new home,
or simply replacing an old, leaky toilet, a WaterSense labeled toilet is a high-performing,
water-efficient option worth considering.

Composting toilets are another option for those who want to be very green. Composting
toilets have been an established technology for more than 30 years, and recent advances have
made them easy to use and similar in look and feel to regular toilets. As they require little to
no water, composting toilet systems can provide a solution to sanitation and environmental
problems in unsewered, rural, and suburban areas.

Faucets and Showerheads

Faucets

Faucets account for more than 15 percent of indoor household water use-more than 1 trillion
gallons of water across the United States each year. WaterSense labeled bathroom sink
faucets and accessories can reduce a sink's water flow by 30 percent or more without
sacrificing performance. If every household in the United States installed WaterSense labeled
bathroom sink faucets or faucet accessories, we could save more than $350 million in water
utility bills and more than 60 billion gallons of water annually-enough to meet public water
demand in a city the size of Miami for more than 150 days!

Showerheads

Showering accounts for approximately 17 percent of residential indoor water use in the
United States-more than 1.2 trillion gallons of water consumed each year. You can purchase
quality, high-efficiency shower fixtures for around $10 to $20 a piece and achieve water
savings of 25-60 percent. Select a high-efficiency showerhead with a flow rate of less than
2.5 gpm (gallons per minute) for maximum water efficiency. Before 1992, some showerheads
had flow rates of 5.5 gpm, so you might want to replace older models if you're not sure of the
flow rate.

Hot Water Systems
Water heating is the third largest energy expense in your home. It typically accounts for about
13% of your utility bill, and can account for 14%-25% of the energy consumed in your home.
You can reduce your monthly water heating bills by selecting the appropriate water heater for
your home or pool-such as tankless, heat pump, or solar hot water heaters-and by using some
energy-efficient water heating strategies.

If your water heater's tank leaks, you may need a new water heater. If you are not in the
market for a new hot water heater, consider installing an insulation blanket on your water
heater tank, and insulate at least the first 3 to 6 feet of the hot and cold water pipes connected
to the water heater. When installing a hot water heater insulation blanket:

For electric hot-water storage tanks, be careful not to cover the thermostat.
For natural gas or oil hot-water storage tanks, be careful not to cover the water heater's top,
bottom, thermostat, or burner compartment.
Always make sure to follow the manufacturer's recommendations
These strategies will help get hot water to you faster, saving thousands of gallons of water per
year in each household.

Maintenance

I nside the House

Fix Leaks - You can significantly reduce water use by simply repairing leaks in fixtures
(faucets and showerheads), pipes, and toilets. A leaky faucet wastes gallons of water in a
short period of time. A leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons per day. That would be like
flushing your toilet more than 50 times for no reason!

If your water heater tank leaks, you may need a new water heater.

Outside The House:
Managing Stormwater
Rain rushes off roofs, pavement and compacted soil in developed areas. This rush of
stormwater causes flooding downstream, erodes soil and stream banks, and muddies the
water, which harms fish and other wildlife. Stormwater picks up chemicals, debris, dirt, and
other pollutants and flows into a storm sewer system or directly to a lake, stream, river,
wetland, or coastal water. Anything that enters most storm sewer systems is discharged
untreated into the waterbodies we use for swimming, fishing and providing drinking water.
Reducing irrigation water use, in combination with reducing impervious surface areas and
pollutants such as pesticides, helps to minimize the negative impacts of stormwater runoff.
Let the Rain Soak In
Porous paving bricks and pervious parking areas can help reduce storm water runoff by
allowing rainwater to soak into the ground.
You can help slow runoff and help the soil hold the moisture plants need in summer by
directing downspouts out into lawns, rain gardens, or rain barrels; and limiting impervious
"hardscape" surfaces.
Raingardens - are landscaped areas designed to soak up rainwater from your roof,
driveway, and/or lawn. These gardens collect rainwater runoff and filter and slowly
release it into the ground, and typically can retain 30 percent more rainwater than a
conventional patch of lawn. By reducing the volume and velocity of storm water
runoff, rain gardens help reduce soil erosion, filter fine particulates, and capture
fertilizer and excess nutrients that can pollute rivers and lakes. Planting dense strips of
native trees, shrubs and groundcovers next to streams, lakes and ditches helps to
stabilize the soil and to slow and filter runoff.
Mulch - Mulch is a layer of organic material like leaves, aged wood chips, or grass
clippings that you spread around your plants. In the Rocky Mountains and Southwest,
rock mulches are preferable. Mulch stabilizes soil temperature, prevents weeds, adds
nutrients to the soil to help feed plants, and helps to conserve water. Mulch can be
used in and around:

- Flower beds and vegetable gardens

- Trees, shrubs and woody perennials

- Lawns - Mulch your lawn? Yes, you can "grasscycle" (leave the clippings on the
lawn when mowing). The clippings quickly decompose and release valuable nutrients
back into the soil to feed the grass, reducing the need for fertilizer by 25 to 50 percent.
Compost - Compost helps sandy soils hold nutrients and water, loosens clay soils, and
feeds the beneficial soil life so it can feed and protect your plants. You can make your
own compost at home, or buy it in bags or bulk.
Limit impervious surfaces - Use porous pavement, gravel paving blocks, or other
pavement options that let rain seep into the soil, in place of asphalt and traditional
concrete. Porous pavement is a special type of pavement that allows rain and
snowmelt to pass through it, thereby reducing the runoff from a site and surrounding
areas. In addition, porous pavement can filter pollutants from the runoff.
Rain gardens reduce stormwater runoff from roofs and impervious surfaces.

Capture Rainwater
Another alternative is to collect rainwater from
rooftops in rain barrels - mosquito-proof containers
that collect and store rainwater that would otherwise
wind up in storm drains and streams. Rain provides
free "soft water" to homeowners-containing no
chlorine, lime or calcium-making it ideal for
gardens, flower pots, and car and window washing.
A rain barrel can also be used to collect water and
store it for when you need it most-during periods of
drought-to water plants, wash your car, or to top off a swimming pool. A rain barrel will save
the average homeowner about 1,300 gallons of water during the peak summer months, or
40% of total household water use. In some drought-prone regions, rain barrels may not be
legal, so check with local authorities before using them.

Landscaping

Choose climate-appropriate, drought-tolerant, and native/adapted plant species
The typical suburban lawn consumes 10,000 gallons of water above and beyond rainwater
each year. Using native plants and landscape designs that optimize local conditions can
reduce irrigation water use, as well as reduce soil erosion, lower maintenance costs, and
preserve natural resources.

By making your landscape a GreenScape, you can save time and money by eliminating
unnecessary watering. Select plants that grow well in your area of the country and are
appropriate given the amount of sun, rainfall, and soil type. Because native plants are adapted
to local soils and climatic conditions, they typically do not require fertilizers, and are more
resistant to pests and disease. In most climate zones, it makes sense to use low-water plants to
save the time and expense of watering. Also, focus on preserving as many existing trees and
shrubs as possible because established plants usually require less water and maintenance.
When selecting plants, avoid those labeled "hard to establish," "susceptible to disease," or
"needs frequent attention," as these types of plants frequently require greater amounts of
supplemental water, fertilizers, and pesticides. Be careful when selecting non-indigenous
species, as some of them may be invasive. An invasive plant might be a water guzzler and
will surely choke out native species.

Water-Efficient I rrigation Systems and Practices

With common watering practices, a large portion of the water applied to lawns and gardens is
not absorbed by the plants. It is lost through evaporation, runoff, or by watering too quickly
or in excess of the plants' needs. Efficient irrigation systems and practices reduce these losses
by applying only as much water as is needed to keep your plants and lawn healthy.

Although not watering your lawn, garden, or other landscape is the most water-efficient
practice, sometimes irrigation is necessary. Irrigating lawns, gardens, and landscapes can be
accomplished either manually or with an automatic irrigation system.

1. Manual watering - Manual watering with a hand-held hose tends to be the most water-
efficient method, as households that manually water with a hose typically use 33
percent less water outdoors than those who use an automatic irrigation system.
Households with automatic timers use 47 percent more water; those with in-ground
sprinkler systems use 35 percent more water; and those with drip irrigation systems
use 16 percent more water than households that manually water.

2. Automatic irrigation systems - Drip-type irrigation systems, including water efficient
spray heads, are considered the most efficient of the automated irrigation methods
because they deliver water directly to the plants' roots. In-ground sprinkler and drip
irrigation systems need to be operated and maintained properly to be water-efficient.
Install system controllers such as rain sensors that prevent sprinklers from turning on
during and immediately after rainfall, or soil moisture sensors that activate sprinklers
only when soil moisture levels drop below pre-programmed levels.

Maintainance Outdoors
Lawn, Garden, and Outdoors
Lawn and Garden
Avoid over-watering your lawn or garden. Using moisture sensors to determine
watering needs is a better strategy than using a fixed schedule or estimating watering
needs based on rainfall. In addition to wasting water, over-watering can increase
leaching of fertilizers into groundwater, and can harm your lawn and plants.
Water new trees and shrubs longer and less frequently than shallow-rooted plants,
which require smaller amounts of water more often. Use soaker hoses or drip
irrigation systems for trees and shrubs.
Position automatic sprinklers to water the lawn and garden only-not the street or
sidewalk.
Water your lawn or garden during the coolest part of the day (early morning is best).
Watering when it's hot and sunny is wasteful because most of the water evaporates
before the plants have time to absorb it. Also avoid watering on windy days.
When using a hose, control the flow with an automatic shut-off nozzle.
Minimize or eliminate chemical fertilizing, which artificially promotes new growth
that will need additional watering.
Raise your lawn mower cutting height - longer grass blades help shade each other,
reduce evaporation, and inhibit weed growth.
When outdoor use of city or well water is restricted during a drought, use the leftover
water from the bath or sink on plants or the garden. Don't use water that contains
bleach, automatic-dishwashing detergent, fabric softener, or other chemicals.
Incorporate compost into the soil to help improve water absorption and retention.
Use mulch around shrubs and garden plants to reduce evaporation from the soil
surface and to cut down on weed growth.
Other Outdoor Uses
Wash your bike or car with a bucket and sponge instead of a hose to save water. A
hose can waste 6 gallons per minute if you leave it running, but using a bucket and
sponge only uses a few gallons. Alternatively, consider using a commercial car wash
that recycles its water, rather than letting it run off into sewer drains.
Use a pool cover to reduce evaporation when a pool is not being used. Consider
purchasing a new water-saving swimming pool filter.
Sweep driveways, sidewalks, and steps rather than hosing them off.
Indoor Air Quality as Important as Energy Efficiency
In the race to save energy and carbon in the residential housing arena Im concerned that we
will play down the indoor air quality of homes. One of the reasons green building took off in
the marketplace the way it did is that green building treated the house as a system, including
residents. According to market research, the second most important driver for homeowners to
buy green homes was improved indoor air quality, especially when children are in the house.
Indoor air quality assaults come from various sources; Organic sources like mold, animal
dander, pollen and inorganic sources like the synthetic chemicals that are in building products
and furnishings. On the organic front mold is the biggest culprit and can actually be caused
by incorrect energy conservation retrofits that trap moisture in walls and other building
cavities.
On the inorganic front urea formaldehyde is the #1 issue for the California Indoor Air Quality
division of the CA Air Resources Board. Formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen with
no level of exposure that poses zero risk, and is a strong eye, nose, throat and lung irritant
according to one of their reports. Many products used inside of homes including
particleboard, cabinets, counter tops, stair treads, shelving are all glued together with urea
formaldehyde that can off gas for years.
Other known carcinogens are standard fare in home remodeling and new construction,
synthetic rubber in carpet (in addition to an average of 100 other synthetic chemicals), vinyl
chloride used to make PVC for flooring materials and shower curtains, and the plasticizers
that make that vinyl pliable can lead to leukemia and other forms of cancer. The tighter we
make our homes the more concentrated these chemicals become.
Indoor Home Lighting Tips
Use Compact Fluorescent Lights in High-Use Fixtures
Maximize your savings by using Energy Star qualified CFLs in your homes five most
frequently used light fixtures. Compact fluorescent bulbs last up to ten times longer than
incandescent bulbs, so you dont have to replace bulbs as often. You could save more than
$60 per year. High-use areas include
Kitchens
Living rooms
Recreation rooms
Outdoor fixtures.
Lighting Tips
Replace standard incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs. These
energy saving bulbs use up to 75 percent less energy and last up to 10 times longer
than standard bulbs.
Install low wattage, small fixtures with a timer or photocell that automatically turn off
during daylight and on for outdoor security lighting at night. For increased security
and higher lighting levels, use motion detectors on all higher wattage lights.
Match light bulb wattage to your lighting needs.
Concentrate lighting in reading and work areas.
Dust your light bulbs regularly as dirt absorbs light and wastes energy.
Turn off lights when leaving rooms.
Use our Lighting Calculator to find out how much you can save with energy-efficient
bulbs in your recessed, track and spot lighting.
Energy Efficiency and Indoor Air Quality

Limiting uncontrolled air leakage in your home is one of the most cost-effective ways
to reduce energy use.
A well sealed home may also eliminate transfer for moisture from the interior of the
home to the building components, reducing the chances of rot or frost damage. A tight
building shell can reduce the amount of dust, pollen, or other contaminants that enter
the living space.
Most of all, a tight home puts the occupant in control of the ventilation of the
building.
With the right ventilation strategy, the occupant can select when and where outdoor
air enters the home.
To take advantage of the benefits of house tightening without adversely effecting
indoor air quality the occupants need to take an active role in keeping the indoor air
clean.
The air inside a home contains substances that can potentially be either harmful to
human health or damaging to the building itself. If one or more of these substances
became concentrated enough, the home can have poor indoor air quality.
By limiting the sources of indoor air contamination and providing an appropriate level
of ventilation, an occupant can maintain a healthy indoor environment.
If you think you have an indoor air quality problem, a two pronged strategy is
recommended.
First, limit the source of indoor air contaminants.Reduce or eliminate contaminants
from your home.
Second, further reduce the level of indoor air contamination by providing a consistent
and
reliable level of ventilation.

A renewable energy system can be used to supply some or all of your electricity needs, using
technologies like:
Small solar electric systems
Small wind electric systems
Microhydropower systems
Small hybrid electric systems (solar and wind).
Planning for a home renewable energy system is a process that includes analyzing your
existing electricity use (and considering energy efficiency measures to reduce it), looking at
local codes and requirements, deciding if you want to operate your system on or off of the
electric grid, and understanding technology options you have for your site.
Indoor Environmental Quality
IEQ (Indoor Environmental Quality) encompasses indoor air quality (IAQ), which focuses on
airborne contaminants, as well as other health, safety, and comfort issues such as aesthetics,
potable water surveillance, ergonomics, acoustics, lighting, and electromagnetic frequency
levels. IEQ improvements to an existing building can occur at any point during the use of a
building.
Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) is most simply described as the conditions inside a
building. It does not refer to the air quality alone, but the entire environmental quality of a
space, which includes air quality, access to daylight and views, pleasant acoustic conditions,
and occupant control over lighting and thermal comfort. Americans spend a majority of their
time indoors; not surprisingly, studies have shown an increase in worker productivity when
improvements are made to a spaces IEQ. Building managers and operators can increase the
satisfaction of building occupants by including thoughtful IEQ details in the design and
operation of a space.
Acoustics
A space with good acoustics is not too loud, does not echo too much, and is an appropriate
space for concentration. Noise Pollution is at a minimum.
Adequate Exhaust
Adequate exhaust is important in spaces that contain air contaminants - such as copy rooms
and janitor closets. Provide separate exhaust for copy, printing, break rooms, and food
preparation areas. Flush out office prior to occupancy. Use energy efficient fans for enhanced
air movement. Ensure the building management staff is conducting the preventive
maintenance on all building exhaust systems (restrooms, garage exhaust fans, etc)
Adhesive
Adhesives are substances used to bond one surface to another. They include bonding primer
and adhesive primers for plastics. Adhesives often have high levels of harmful Volatile
Organic Compounds (VOCs), so care must be taken to adequately ventilate spaces when
using them.
Adjustable Equipment
To promote occupant comfort, equipment should be adjustable. This includes ergonomic
seating and desks, well-designed cleaning equipment, occupant controlled lighting, and
controllable daylight/glare control.
Air Delivery Monitoring
It is important to properly ventilate an occupied space. However, care should be taken to not
waste energy by over-ventilating that space. Monitoring systems can be installed to generate
alarms when unhealthy levels of carbon dioxide are detected a sign that additional fresh,
outside air needs to be brought in to restore healthy indoor air quality.
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Ai
ASHRAE (the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers)
is the governing body which creates and releases the standards regarding indoor air quality,
thermal comfort, and energy efficiency.
Binder
Binders are materials used to hold together two or more ingredients in a mixture. They are
similar to adhesives, and also must be used with care. Binders can have high levels of
harmful Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which can be dangerous to human health and
the environment. Lower VOC binders are preferable, and all spaces where binders are applied
should be well ventilated.
Carbon Footprint
The Carbon Footprint is a popular way to quantify the amount of carbon emissions an
individual, group, or building is releasing. It is a measure of the impact that the entity has on
global climate change.
Cleanliness
A clean building is a happy building. Keeping the facility clean decreases the occurrence of
sick building syndrome and uses less toxic chemicals in the process. Occupants are also
more likely to express satisfaction with a well-cleaned building and lose less productivity due
to absenteeism.
Combined Sewer Overflow
A combined sewer system conveys both sanitary sewage and stormwater in one piping
system. During normal dry weather conditions, sanitary wastewater collected in the combined
sewer system is diverted to the wastewater treatment plant before it enters natural waterways.
During periods of significant rainfall, the capacity of a combined sewer may be exceeded.
When this occurs, excess flow, a mixture of stormwater and sanitary wastewater, is
discharged at CSO points, typically to rivers and streams.
Comfort Criteria
Comfort criteria are the specific original design conditions that at minimum include
temperature, humidity, and air speed as well as outdoor temperature design conditions,
outdoor humidity design conditions, clothing, and expected activity.
Commissioning
A quality assurance process for enhancing the delivery of a project. The process focuses upon
verifying and documenting that the facility and all of its systems and assemblies are planned,
designed, installed, tested, operated, and maintained to meet the Owner's Project
Requirements. This means testing all systems (HVAC, lighting controls, domestic hot water
systems, etc.) to ensure they function as intended. Proper commissioning saves energy,
reduces risk, and creates value for building operators.
Construction Air Quality Management
Construction activities can threaten the indoor air quality of an occupied space. Precautions
should be taken to protect the health of construction workers as well as the health of
occupants. These precautions include ensuring that airborne particles from construction
activities are isolated from the permanently installed HVAC equipment; flushing out toxins
before occupation; ensuring absorptive materials are kept dry and the facility is kept free
from mold; and using construction materials low in harmful VOCs.
Daylight
Daylight and views to the outside are critical to the well-being of building occupants. In order
to provide equitable access to daylight and views, it is recommended that private offices are
located toward the core of a space and that low workstation panels are installed to allow for
maximum daylight penetration. Use glass walls and partitions to enable views out from
interior spaces and highly reflective, light-colored surfaces on the walls and desk surfaces to
bounce daylight around the space. If the daylighting of a space is designed well enough, the
occupants can choose to have daylight instead of artificial light. In all daylighting strategies,
it is important to consider glare, and to take steps to minimize it.
Energy Performance
All buildings use energy in order to operate. Some buildings use energy efficiently, some
buildings dont. The measure used to evaluate a buildings energy efficiency is the ENERGY
STAR program.
Entryway Systems/Walk-off Mats
Toxins are tracked into a building on occupants shoes. Entryway systems, like grates, grills,
and walkoff mats can greatly reduce the amount of outside dirt, dust, and particulates brought
into a building. This makes for a cleaner environment, and cuts down on the amount of
cleaning necessary to maintain a high level of cleanliness in a facility.
Ergonomics
Ergonomic workspaces are designed to accommodate user preferences and comforts. They
include height-adjustable desks that can be easily moved around on casters, fully adjustable
chairs, monitor arms, keyboard trays, footrests and document holders. It is important to train
employees on how to appropriately and effectively adjust their workspaces to maximize
comfort and health.
ETS (Environmental Tobacco Smoke) Control
ETS is another term for secondhand smoke. It consists of cancer-causing airborne particles
emitted from the burning end of cigarettes, pipes, and cigars, and is exhaled by smokers.
Good indoor air quality is assured by not allowing ETS to enter the air breathed by non-
smokers. This is often achieved by banning smoking within the facility and within a certain
distance from openings in the building envelope (often 20-25 feet). Buildings can also install
separate HVAC systems to isolate areas within a facility that does allow smoking.
Feels Good
A space with good indoor environmental quality (IEQ) has an appropriate temperature,
humidity, and air movement. Occupants should be comfortable in their environment.
Finish
Finish is the final covering of a material in a built environment. It can refer to the finish on a
floor, countertop, wall, or piece of furniture. Similar to adhesives and binders, finishes must
also be used with care. They can have high levels of harmful Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOCs), which can be dangerous to human health and the environment. Lower VOC finishes
are preferable, and all spaces where finishes are applied should be well ventilated.
Flush Out
The odor from recently installed building materials and finishes such as flooring, paints and
finishes, caulks and sealants, cabinets and work surfaces made from composite lumber
products can reduce indoor air quality. The most common cause of these odors is the release
of gases, such as formaldehyde and a wide range of other volatile organic compounds
(VOC's), from the products into the air. To increase indoor air quality, large amounts of
outdoor air can be forced through a recently completed building for a period of 3 to 90 days
so that the majority of pollutant emissions from building materials, finishes, and furnishings
can be removed from the building before occupancy.
Glazing
Tinted glass and glass with a reflective coating are glazing alternatives that reduce heat gain.
One example, low-e glass, has a thin metal coating to allow light to pass through the glass;
heat remains on the side where it is originating (it keeps the suns heat out of the building and
mechanical heating inside the building). Low-e coatings contribute to energy efficient
window assemblies.
Green Building
Green buildings are those that are efficient, comfortable, healthy, durable and adaptable over
time. They meet the needs of the occupants that live and work in them in a way that
minimizes demand for natural resources and reduces or eliminates waste. Green buildings
save energy, water, materials, protect the indoor environment and are designed to evolve as
occupant needs change.
Green Cleaning
A good green cleaning program makes a facility pleasant to be in and protects the
environment from unnecessary harm. In addition, it protects the health of the cleaning staff.
Green cleaning encompasses the use of non-toxic, biodegradable chemicals; recycled paper
products; and cleaning equipment that doesnt pollute. It also addresses the training of
employees, use of microfiber cleaning cloths, and the use of concentrated cleaning chemicals
which require less packaging.
Human Health
Buildings with good indoor air quality keep the occupants inside them healthier. A space with
good indoor air quality is one that is well ventilated (with outside air) and that is not
compromised by pollutants brought into the space or by pollutants off-gassed within the
space. It is free of tobacco smoke (ETS) and free of mold, and the cleaning materials used are
non toxic.
I ndoor Air Quality (I AQ)
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the quality of the air within a space. A space with good
indoor air quality is one that is well ventilated (with outside air) and that is not compromised
by pollutants brought into the space or by pollutants off-gassed within the space. Strategies
used to create good IAQ include bringing in 100% outside air, maintaining appropriate
exhaust systems, complying with ASHRAE Standard 62.1, utilizing high efficiency MERV
filters in the heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, installing walk-off
mats at entryways, prohibiting smoking with the space and near operable windows and air
intakes, providing indoor plants, and using only low-emitting / non-toxic materials and green
housekeeping products.
I ntegrated Pest Management (I PM)
Integrated Pest Management is managing pests (plants, fungi, insects, and/or animals) in a
way that protects human health and the surrounding environment and that improves economic
returns through the most effective, least-risk option. This method means using non-toxic
options such as cleaning and physical barriers to entrance before resorting to chemical means.
Low VOC
VOCs are volatile organic compounds toxins that are found within products (paints,
adhesives, cleaners, carpets, particle board, etc) and that are released into a spaces indoor air,
thus harming its quality. Low VOC products are those that meet or exceed various standards
for low-emitting materials. Low-emitting standards include Green Seal, SCAQMD, CRI
Green Label Plus, Floor Score, etc.
Low-Emitting
Materials used in buildings often contain compounds that can have a negative effect on
indoor air quality (IAQ) and on the Earths atmosphere. These compounds can be present in
adhesive, sealants, paints, flooring, carpets, composite wood and agrifiber products, furniture
and furnishings, and in ceiling and wall systems. Good materials have low levels of these
harmful compounds, and do not release large quantities into the surrounding air. Strategies
for selecting low-emitting options include insuring material compliance with
the ANSI/BIFMA X7.1-2007 standard for furniture emissions. Non-profit certification
programs that verify conformance with the standard including but not limited to Indoor
Advantage, Certified Green, Greenguard, and any other program that uses the open ANSI
standard.
Low-Flow Fixture
Low-flow fixtures are plumbing fixtures that meet the performance requirements established
by the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992. EPAct limits on water use included a maximum
of 1.6 gpf for toilets and 1.0 gpf for urinals. Relative to earlier fixture models (i.e.
conventional fixtures), these were low-flow and the name stuck. Today, however, the 1992
EPAct low-flow requirements are baseline plumbing code requirements. So, low-flow
fixtures are simply code compliant; and actually represent the highest allowable water use
that you can install.
Measurement and Verification Plan (M&V Plan)
A Measurement and Verification Plan (M&V) provides for the ongoing accountability of
building electricity consumption. Creating and using a good M&V plan helps building
management keep track of energy use and identify problems. M&V plans help identify
systems which use energy, monitor electricity metering, track the success of energy-savings
plans, and identify the party responsible for keeping up with the execution of the M&V plan.
MERV Filter
Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, MERV, is a number from 1 to 16 that is relative to
an air filters efficiency. The higher the MERV rating, the denser the filter and the more
efficient it is at removing small particles in the air. However, a higher MERV rating creates
more resistance to airflow, thus requiring additional energy to push air through the filter. For
the cleanest air, a user should select the highest MERV filter that their unit is capable of
handling based on the limit of the units fan power.
Noise Pollution
Noise pollution is the presence of unwanted or unpleasant noise. Noise pollution comes from
improperly functioning HVAC equipment, street noise, or the conversations of others.
Besides the fact that it is obnoxious and distracting, noise pollution can be detrimental to
human health. It is therefore important to consider ways to eliminate noise pollution in
project planning.
Occupant Comfort
Workspaces should be designed to provide an optimum level of thermal comfort for the
occupants. Occupant comfort should be based on ASHRAE Standard 55.
Occupant Control
Workspaces should be designed to allow for occupant control over lighting (light switches,
occupant or daylight sensors with override capability, etc) and thermal comfort (operable
windows, individual thermostats, and underfloor air diffusers).
Pervious
Pervious surfaces allow precipitation to peculate through letting the water be absorbed and
naturally filtered by the ground. Pervious surfaces reduce the amount of water that is sent to
the stormdrains. Types of pervious surfaces include landscape, pavers, porous asphalt, and
pervious concrete.
Plants
Plants not only contribute to the appearance of an office and provide aesthetic value but they
can help reduce air pollutants and introduce more oxygen to increase air quality.
Recirculated Air
Air that is removed from a space by mechanical means and reused again as supply air. Using
a mix of recirculated air and fresh air is efficient because it keeps levels of oxygen at healthy
levels but doesnt require excessive amounts of conditioning (heating or cooling) in order to
be used.
Smells Good
A space with healthy indoor air quality (IAQ) doesn't smell like chemicals because the
materials used in the space should be low-VOC and low-emitting. No mold should be present
and there should be ample ventilation.
Sounds Quiet
A space with good indoor environmental quality (IEQ) is not too loud, does not echo too
much, and is an appropriate space for concentration.
Submetering
Submetering or system-level metering is used to determine the proportion of energy use
within a building attributable to specific end uses or subsystems (e.g., the ventilation system
of an HVAC system). This energy use information can be used to support energy
management and identify opportunities for additional energy saving improvements.
Supply Air
Supply air is air delivered to a space by mechanical ventilation. It can be 100% outside air,
or it can be a combination of outdoor air, recirculated air and / or transfer air. Although it
may seem like a good idea to use 100% outside air, the air needs to be conditioned (heated or
cooled) before it can be circulated, so it makes sense to use only as much as is necessary to
keep the circulating air fresh and the energy use down.
Thermal Comfort
Workspaces should be designed to provide an optimum level of thermal comfort for the
occupants. Occupant comfort should be based on ASHRAE Standard 55.
Ventilation
Ventilation is the process of "changing" or replacing air in any space to control temperature;
remove moisture, odors, smoke, heat, dust, airborne bacteria, and carbon dioxide; and to
replenish oxygen. Ventilation includes both the exchange of air to the outside as well as
circulation of air within the building. It is one of the most important factors for maintaining
acceptable indoor air quality in buildings.
Views to the Outside
Building occupants with access to outside views have an increased sense of well being.
Keeping employees happy and healthy is good for business, as happy employees show higher
productivity and increased job satisfaction, resulting in fewer employee turnovers. In order to
provide equitable access to daylight and views, it is recommended that private offices are
located toward the core of a space and that low workstation panels are installed to allow for
maximum daylight penetration. Use glass walls and partitions to enable views out from
interior spaces.
Worker Productivity
Employee salaries are a significant cost in any commercial building. It makes good business
sense to keep employees happy, healthy, and productive. Good indoor environmental quality,
access to views, comfortable temperatures, comfortable lighting, good acoustics, and
ergonomic design keep employees happy and productive.
HVAC
HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) is the technology of indoor and vehicular
environmental comfort. HVAC system design is a subdiscipline of mechanical engineering,
based on the principles of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer. Refrigeration
is sometimes added to the field's abbreviation as HVAC&R or HVACR, or ventilating is
dropped as in HACR (such as the designation of HACR-rated circuit breakers).
HVAC is important in the design of medium to large industrial and office buildings such as
skyscrapers and in marine environments such as aquariums, where safe and healthy building
conditions are regulated with respect to temperature and humidity, using fresh air from
outdoors.
GREY WATER
Greywater or sullage is defined as wastewater generated from wash hand basins, showers
and baths, which can be recycled on-site for uses such as WC flushing, landscape irrigation
and constructed wetlands. Greywater often includes discharge from laundry, dishwashers and
kitchen sinks. It differs from the discharge of WC's which is designated sewage or blackwater
to indicate it contains human waste.


http://www.epa.gov/greenhomes/ConserveWater.htm
http://www.epa.gov/greenhomes/ConserveWater.htm#landscaping
http://www.epa.gov/greenhomes/ConserveWater.htm#stormwater
http://www.co.mason.wa.us/forms/Env_Health/indoor_water_conservation.pdf
http://www.epa.gov/greenhomes/ConserveWater.htm#maintenance
http://www.epa.gov/greenhomes/ConserveWater.htm#wateruse
http://www.greenbuilding.com/blog/indoor-air-quality-important-energy-efficiency
http://www.duke-energy.com/indiana/savings/lighting.asp
http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/wsuceep00-303/wsuceep00-303.pdf
http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/planning-home-renewable-energy-systems
http://www.wbdg.org/design/ieq.php
http://www.aqmd.gov/rules/reg/reg11/r1168.pdf
http://www.greenseal.org/FindGreenSealProductsAndServices.aspx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HVAC