Environmental
Purpose/Goal:
We are committed to build an energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly building. We are particularly interested in considering all no-cost or low-cost green features and building methods. Also, because we are the owners and operators of the building, we are focused on the life-cycle cost of ownership. For example, we will consider investing more in up-front capital costs for a more efficient building envelope and HVAC system if the payback is less than 7 years (ROI >15%).
Although we are not planning to apply for any green building certifications, we expect that our new building would meet or exceed LEED and EnergyStar standards in certain regards.
Our recent Building Design Survey indicated that our congregation is very supportive of efforts to build a “green” building –over 40% said it was “very important” that the new church be environmentally friendly, and 41% said it was “somewhat important.” Only 6% said it was “not important.” When asked about notable features of other buildings, the respondents most frequently highlighted “windows/natural light” and “gardens.”
The Bible teaches that man is created in the image of God. Because man is unique among creation, he is given the responsibility of managing the earth and its resources. As stewards of the earth, we embrace the responsibility to build an environmentally-friendly building.
General:
We want our new building to:
- Create a welcoming, warm, and healthy worship environment.
- Be highly insulated and airtight, with an integrated air ventilation system.
- Take advantage of passive solar heating with building orientation, window orientation, high performance windows with appropriate shading to reduce cooling load in summer months.
- Take advantage of natural day lighting for classrooms, offices, and café.
- Incorporate natural and healthy building materials -especially in nursery, classrooms, and offices.
- Integrate an environmentally-friendly landscape design and recognize the connection between nature and spirituality.
Specifics:
- It is essential that the sanctuary and classrooms be thermally comfortable and have healthy air quality while in use, while minimizing overall energy requirements.
- Integrated design approach – we believe that up-front planning can allow us to take advantage of many environmentally-friendly features at little or no cost.
- We want to explore any state or federal subsidies for green building and alternative energy initiatives.
- See list below for more specific thoughts.
Considerations:
-The cost of electricity on Cape Cod is currently 21.5 cents per kwh – almost twice the national average. Natural gas is over $1.50 per CCF. We will be particularly interested in exploring strategies to reduce electricity and fossil fuel consumption.
-Generally, we expect the cost of electricity and heating fuel to increase in the future, so that life-cycle cost analysis should reflect a reasonable estimate of increases.
-We want to incorporate green maintenance and cleaning practices in future operations.
-Building project and design should be sensitive to abutting residential neighbors.
-We want to communicate to our church and community what we have done in regards to environmental initiatives.
Environmental Considerations for Building Construction
(Excerpted from “No- or Low-Cost Green Building Strategies”by Global Green USA)
1.Orient building to maximize natural day lighting.
Description: Natural day lighting is usually available to the east, south, and west facades.
Benefits: Maximizing natural day lighting reduces the need for artificial light, thus reducing energy consumption and utility bills. Dwellings that have good natural day lighting are also more pleasant for the residents.
2. Place windows for natural ventilation and consider system to recirculate air.
Description: Natural ventilation systems take advantage of prevailing winds and thermal convection to ventilate living spaces. Also, consider system that recirculates air based on a built-in temperature differential.
Benefits: Placing windows to take advantage of natural ventilation reduces the need for air conditioning, saves money on energy bills, and can make homes without air conditioning more comfortable.
3.Consider a “cool roof” (light colored material).
Description: Dark roofing materials absorb heat, making the house warmer in summer months, whereas light colored roofing reflects heat away from the building.
Benefits: Light colored roofing reduces heat buildup through the roof, thus increasing occupancy comfort and decreasing air conditioning bills. Light colored roofing can also last longer because it does not thermally expand and contract as much as darker colors. Need to consider how a “cool roof" will effect heating in winter.
4.Consider overhangs on south-facing windows.
Description: Overhangs or screens on south-facing windows are one component of a natural cooling system.
Benefits: Shading south-facing windows reduces heat gain by screening the summer sun during the hottest periods of the day. Need to consider downside of southside windows and increase cost of cooling.
5. Use 30% - 50% fly ash in concrete.
Description: Fly ash is a by-product of coal burning power plants and can be an inexpensive substitute for 15% - 40% of the Portland cement used in concrete.
Benefits: Fly ash increases the strength and durability of the concrete. Using fly ash also reduces the amount of cement needed, thereby decreasing the overall environmental impacts of cement production (mining and energy consumption).
6.Consider fluorescent and energy saving lighting options.
Description: Interior fluorescent bulbs and fixtures produce light quantity and quality that is comparable to incandescent, while expending less energy. Electronic ballasts also improve efficiency and reduce flickering.
Benefits: Energy efficient lighting reduces energy consumption and lowers utility bills. One compact florescent bulb will pay itself back over ten times over the course of its life through reduced energy use.
7.Install high R-value insulation.
Description: Insulation provides a continuous thermal barrier to minimize heat flow through the walls, ceiling and floor. The higher the R-value, the greater the material’s ability to insulate.
Benefits: Installing higher R-value insulation improves comfort, decreases demand for air conditioning and heating, saves money, and makes the building quieter.
8.Select energy efficient appliances.
Description: Refrigerators and freezers are among the largest users of electricity in most homes. They can account for up to 25% of household energy use. Energy Star appliances use 10-15% less energy and water than standard models.
Benefits: Energy Star refrigerators can save over 10% of the total annual electrical bill in a home. Check with the local utility company for rebate programs.
9.Design water efficient landscapes.
Description: Low-water landscape designs (such as xeriscape) reduce water use by emphasizing native and/or drought tolerant plants, eliminating turf areas, and minimizing maintenance. Efficient irrigation systems (such as drip and micro irrigation) place the correct amount of water directly at the base of each plant, thus reducing water use and waste from over-watering.
Benefits: Water efficient landscape and irrigation systems help plant growth and overall health by eliminating over-watering or excessive drying. They also lower water bills and reduce impacts on water supply infrastructure.
10.Install water-efficient toilets and fixtures.
Description: New toilets use 1.6 gallons per flush compared with old toilets that require 5-7gallons per flush. Flow reducers fit into the aerator at the tip of the faucet and reduce the rate of water flow through the faucet. Low-flow showerheads replace standard showerheads.
Benefits: Low-flow toilets can save up to22,000 gallons of water per year for a family of four.
Flow reducers can cut water usage of faucets and showers by as much as 40% with little noticeable effect.
11.Permeable paving materials.
Description: Permeable paving allows storm water to percolate into the soil.
Benefits: Permeable paving allows on-site percolation, thus reducing the volume of polluted
water that flows into rivers or bays, while replenishing soil moisture and local aquifers.
Additional benefits include reduction in irrigation requirements and a lower risk of flooding.
12.Consider use of engineered wood for headers, joists, and sheathing.
Description: Solid-sawn lumber in sizes of 2x10 or greater typically comes from old growth forests. Engineered lumber products, however, come from small diameter and fast growing plantation trees. 2x10 and larger dimensional lumber is typically used for floor and ceiling joists and some seismic applications. Large size lumber can be replaced with engineered lumber (microlam, paralam, gluelam) in most applications unless required by seismic codes. Solid-sawn 4x6s are often used for headers when smaller dimension lumber would suffice, such as double 2x6s, unless solid 4x6s are required by seismic codes. Wood I-Joists are an alternative to 2x6s or 2x8s used for floor and roof joists.
Benefits: Reducing demand for large dimensional lumber decreases pressure to cut down old growth forests. Engineered lumber uses wood fiber more efficiently that conventional lumber, resulting in stronger and higher quality homes.
13.Consider recycled content insulation and carpet.
Description: Recycled-content insulation,drywall, and carpet are made from recycled paper, recycled plastic and glass bottles, recycled wool or recycled cotton. They don’t differ in appearance or performance, and the prices are comparable to conventional products.
Benefits: Recycled-content materials save resources and divert waste from landfills.
Approximately forty 2-liter soda bottles are recycled into each square yard of recycled-content carpeting. Recycled-content insulation may contain up to 30% recycled glass.
14.Use Low or No-VOC paint.
Description: No-VOC paint does not emit odors related to volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Organic chemicals are widely used as ingredients in household products like paint, adhesives, cleaning supplies, etc. No-VOC paint is used exactly like conventional paint. No-VOC paint is most suitable for indoor use.
Benefits: Use of low or no-VOC paint can eliminate the eye, nose, and throat irritation, loss of coordination, and potential damage to the liver and central nervous system caused by VOCs.
Outside, VOC’s can bond with other pollutants and create ground-level ozone.
Other environmental features to consider and discuss:
- Additional insulation on exterior side of building envelope for higher R-value and more airtight construction. Also, interior wall insulation (sound and efficiency).
- High-efficiency lighting fixtures and energy-saving lamps (T8) and ballasts. Low-light power density, approximately 1.0 watt/sq.ft. or less.
- Lighting controls turn off lights when not occupied or sufficient day light.
- Exterior light fixtures and layout to meet IESNA and dark-sky requirements. Full cut-off fixtures outside reduce light spillage to neighbors.
- Sensor-operated toilets, urinals and lavatory faucets.
- No CFC refrigerants in all HVAC and refrigeration systems.
- High-efficiency condensing boiler (90-95%).
- Materials: Formaldehyde-free particle board, insulation, low/no-VOC adhesives, paints, sealers.