Most people agree that saving the environment is a worthwhile pursuit, but it can be hard to figure out how to be environmentally friendly, or green, while taking care of everyday needs. Comparing products can be a confusing task, but there are some standards and certifications that can help in deciding which options are most energy efficient and environmentally friendly.

Building, whether making repairs or renovations or putting up an entirely new structure, is one area that offers increasingly accessible options for going green. One of the key features of environmentally friendly products is energy efficiency, so although they often cost more to purchase, they can save both money and the environment in the long run, by using less energy. The building process offers a wealth of opportunities to choose green options, from the initial design, to the site selection, to the choice of which appliances to install in the finished structure.

Building green involves increasing the efficiency of a building while reducing the impact on the environment and human health, and there are several areas that builders can focus on in order to do this. Site choice, design, energy efficiency, water efficiency, material choice, maintenance and operations are all factors that can contribute to making a building more green.

Sustainability is one of the key factors in green building. Sustainability can be addressed through the choice of building materials, energy efficiency, and use of passive energy sources such as light and heat from the sun. For example, sustainable building materials include woods such as bamboo that are easily replaced through replanting.

Energy efficiency is related to sustainability, since using less energy makes less impact on the environment. Energy efficiency can be increased by installing energy efficient appliances, placing windows to take advantage of the sun's light and heat, and even buying products locally so that less energy is used in their transportation.

Water efficiency can be as simple as installing low consumption toilets or using crushed gravel instead of asphalt to decrease rainwater runoff and improve the replenishment of groundwater. There are also design features that can be added to a building, such as recycling rainwater or dishwasher water into the system for flushing toilets.

Another consideration in green building is the internal environment of the building. This includes air quality, ventilation, heating and cooling systems, lighting, and even the use of chemical cleaners. The internal environment includes any factors that impact the health and wellbeing of the occupants, whether they live there, work there, shop there, or are just passing through on the way to someplace else.

Exterior environment is also a consideration, since buildings and their landscaping can have a strong impact on the surrounding area. Some considerations include water run-off, watersheds, chemical lawn treatments or pesticides, irrigation and sprinkler systems, and even the placement of shade trees and other greenery. Impacts on vegetation, wildlife and complete ecosystems are all important to consider when building a green building, or when working to improve the environmental friendliness of an existing building.

LEED Certification

The US Green Building Council has developed a set of standards to help builders and consumers to know what is green or not. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards system rates building or renovation projects on how sustainable and environmentally friendly they are. This rating is based on points earned in several performance categories such as Sustainable Sites, Energy and Atmosphere, Water Efficiency, Indoor Environmental Quality, and Materials and Resources. These standards help builders in planning their projects, and LEED certification provides a trustworthy third party verification for buyers of how green the project is.

LEED certified buildings are more attractive to the people and businesses that will occupy them for several reasons. The focus on a healthy interior environment contributes to the good health of the occupants, whether they are employees, customers or residents. The focus on energy efficiency reduces energy costs, and can also reduce maintenance expenses.

Because different types of projects have different requirements, there are several specialized LEED standards set up, including LEED for New Construction, LEED for Existing Buildings, LEED for Commercial Interiors, LEED for Core and Shell Development, LEED for Homes, and LEED for Neighborhood Development. The US Green Building Council also offers LEED accreditation for qualified professionals.

LEED certifies the green status of entire building or renovation projects, and in the case of LEED for existing buildings, it certifies the ongoing operation and maintenance systems of a building. Individual products are not LEED certified because while energy efficient products can contribute to a building's certification score, it is how the project works as a whole that LEED addresses.

Energy Star

The US Environmental Protection Agency presides over the well established Energy Star program, which offers energy efficient solutions for businesses and consumers. The blue Energy Star label can make it easier to choose energy efficient appliances, since it can only be placed on products that meet their strict energy efficiency requirements. Energy Star appliances often cost more to buy than their less efficient counterparts, but cost less to operate because of the lower energy requirements, which also benefits the environment. Some utilities and state governments even offer financial incentives to use these energy efficient appliances.

Recently, the Energy Star program has expanded to include certifying new homes that meet equally strict energy efficiency guidelines. Homes that qualify for the Energy Star rating are at least 15 percent more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC). The Energy Star program also offers referrals to help homeowners find builders who build Energy Star homes. The Energy Star even offers a partnership program for businesses to assist them in developing their energy management strategies.

HomeClick carries Energy Star appliances in almost every category, including dehumidifiers, dishwashers, fans, refrigerators, washing machines, and washer/dryer combinations.

WaterSense

As the population and communities grow, they cover more land and use more water. While the Earth is covered in water, only about 1 % of that total is actually usable for human consumption, which makes water management a growing concern.

The US Environmental Protection Agency has recently established the WaterSense program, a public/private partnership designed to promote water efficiency and expand the market for water efficient products. Products that meet the program's water efficiency and performance criteria qualify to display the WaterSense label. Consumers who look for this label will know that they are doing their part to preserve our water supplies for future generations.

According to the WaterSense website, WaterSense labeled products meet the following criteria:

Products realize water savings on a national basis.

Products perform as well or better than less efficient products of the same type, and don't require any sacrifice in terms of convenience, comfort, hygiene, health, safety, or availability.

Products achieve water efficiency through several technology options, at least one of which is non-proprietary.

Products are differentiated by a label that is visible for purchasers, and products are typically labeled that are at least 20 percent more efficient than their less efficient counterparts.

Products are independently certified by a third party to confirm that they meet EPA criteria for efficiency and performance.

Products provide the desired level of product performance as well as measurable results in terms of water saved/water use avoided.

Some of the product types that currently or will soon carry the WaterSense label are toilets, bathroom faucets, showerheads, landscape irrigation services and systems, commercial urinals and toilets, and commercial steam sterilizers.

HomeClick is proud to carry a selection of high efficiency toilets from TOTO that bear the WaterSense label.

Green Seal

While the government does not currently certify green cleaning or office products, many government agencies refer to Green Seal standards when choosing environmentally friendly products for government offices and operations. Green Seal standards rate products in several major product categories, including cleaners, paints, papers, and windows and doors.

Insulation

Insulation can increase the energy efficiency of a building by reducing the amount of heat transferred between inside and outside, whether the building is heated or cooled compared to the outside. Attics, walls and floors can all be insulated, and features such as new windows can also be insulating factors.

In addition to insulation itself, sealing gaps where air might be passing through can increase energy efficiency significantly. Commonly referred to as weatherizers, products like caulk and weather-stripping can be used to eliminate drafts around the edges of windows and doors. For doors, it is often beneficial to install sweeps or shoes that block potential drafts at the bottom of the door without inhibiting the normal function of the door.

Other areas that potentially allow air leaks include plumbing penetrations, ceiling-mounted light fixtures, and anywhere that wiring or pipes penetrate through the exterior walls of the building. These can generally be sealed with caulk or putty, and it can be useful to consult with a professional if you are unsure of how to proceed.

Lighting

Lighting is another area where a few easy changes can result in significant energy savings. Installing compact fluorescent bulbs in the place of normal incandescent bulbs saves electricity and reduces the frequency with which bulbs need to be replaced, reducing the load on landfills and garbage disposal services. Check for EnergyStar compact fluorescents, which are available in sizes that fit all normal light fixtures.

In addition to energy efficient bulbs, behavioral changes like using natural light from windows and turning out lights when not in use can create significant energy savings.

For outdoor lighting, one great energy efficient option is to install solar lighting. These outdoor lights use sunlight to recharge their batteries during the day, and turn on automatically to provide outdoor lighting at night. Because they charge directly from sunlight, there is no draw on your electrical system to power them.

Maintenance

Energy efficiency can be increased by keeping all of your appliances in good working order. Simple regular maintenance such as cleaning the cooling coils on air conditioners and refrigerators, cleaning the dust catched in the dryer, and changing air filters in heating and cooling systems can increase both the effectiveness and the energy efficiency of your equipment.

Use the EnergyGuide label to compare different appliance models.

When shopping for appliances, it is not always possible to make the extra initial investment for an Energy Star rated product. In this case, use the EnergyGuide label to compare different products and find the most energy efficient option in your price range.

Professional Energy Rating

Homes and offices can also be tested by professional energy raters. These professionals test the entire building for hidden air leaks that can be sealed to increase energy efficiency.

Woodburning Fireplaces and Stoves

Many homeowners choose to install a woodburning fireplace or stove to help heat the building in cold weather. Wood is a renewable resource, but burning wood releases smoke and soot into the air. Although there is no Energy Star rating for this sort of product, most new fireplaces and woodburning stoves have been tested to ensure that they meet or exceed government emissions standards.

When shopping for a fireplace or woodburning stove, compare the ratings for both emissions and energy efficiency.

WaterSense Toilets
Energy Star Dehumidifier
Energy Star Dishwashers
Energy Star Drawer Dishwashers
Energy Star Fans
Energy Star Refrigerators
Energy Star Washing Machines
Energy Star Washer/Dryer Combinations
Fireplaces and Wood Burning Stoves
Solar Lighting