GOING GREEN: ENERGY EFFICIENT OPTIONS

As the “green building” trend continues to sweep across the nation, more construction companies are becoming increasingly dedicated to environmentally friendly building. With general contractors portraying a greener image these days, incorporating energy efficient products into the building envelope is becoming an industry norm.

Given the rise in energy costs, it’s no surprise that going green has become increasingly trendy. While the costs on the front end can be costlier, the savings in the long run make energy efficient building attractive to consumers and companies alike. Plus, the heightened awareness of environmental issues among the mainstream has driven interest and even created a demand for eco-friendly building and renovating. As such, green building has given construction companies and general contractors another way to differentiate themselves from their competitors in the marketplace.

In addition, many utility companies are encouraging green construction through their energy efficient rebate programs resulting in energy savings over the lifetime of a building. For example, Florida Power & Light (FP&L) offers financial incentives for improving the building envelope.

FPL’s Business Building Envelope program includes incentives for:

? Roof or ceiling insulation
- $0.05 to $0.15 per square foot of insulation installed over air conditioned space of an existing building.
- When your current roof’s R-value is 7.0 or less and the final thermal resistance reaches at least R-19.

? Spray polyurethane foam (SPUF)
- $0.45 per square foot of reflective roof coating installed on SPUF roofs larger than 40,000 square feet.
- Additional $0.05 per square foot for insulation requirements.
- When you meet all roof and ceiling qualifications and a protective coating is installed over foam insulation to protect the SPUF from ultraviolet light.

? Reflective roof surfaces
- $0.45 per square foot of reflective roof measure.
- When you install light-colored metal roofs, rubber-like or thermoplastic reflective membranes or reflective coatings that are Energy Star compliant.
- When the existing solar reflectance of your roof is 40% and the retrofit application reflects at least 73% of the sun’s heat. Light-colored metal roofs must reflect at least 65%.

? Window film treatments
- Up to $1 per square foot of qualifying glass facing west, southwest or northwest.
- When you install solar film, solar screens or high efficiency window replacements.

In today’s “green” minded economy, these incentives not only appeal to the consumer but also construction companies and general contractors as a way to help their customers save money while sustaining the environment. In fact, many leading building industry associations and nonprofits have played a major role in forwarding the green building movement with helpful guides and tips in building for the environment.

The National Association of Homebuilders’ (NAHB) building guidelines can be downloaded free at www.nahb.org/gbg. These guidelines are designed to highlight the ways a builder can effectively weave environmental solutions in building and provide a tool that local associations can use to create their own green building program. Listed below are a few green tips for construction companies and general contractors.
? Use oriented strand board instead of plywood
? Use TGI and glulam beams instead of dimensional lumber
? Minimize disruption to vegetation on property
? Retain natural water drainage
? Use low-E glass windows
? Reduce air infiltration
? Use roof overhangs to cut solar gain
? Install high-efficiency HVAC equipment
? Choose energy-efficient and water-saving appliances
Also, Green Building Initiative (GBI), whose mission is to “accelerate the adoption of building practices that result in energy-efficient, healthier and environmentally sustainable buildings by promoting credible and practical green building approaches for residential and commercial construction,” is an excellent resource for construction companies and general contractors. Some green building advantages listed on their website include:

? Lowered expenses and operating costs: energy efficient systems lower monthly utility bills
? In addition
? Improved construction methods: better protection from rain and ground water lower replacement and upkeep costs. Also, using recycled materials helps conserve natural resources.
? Reduced maintenance issues: decks made of pressure treated lumber or synthetic materials don’t need staining or sealing.
? Increased home value: homeowners with lower monthly utility bills report high resale values.
? Improved environmental quality: moisture control products and low VOC paints contribute to a more comfortable indoor environment and efficient use of materials helps conserve natural resources.
? For construction companies and general contractors, building green reduces call backs and increases profits

Visit www.thegbi.org for more information, facts, statistics and news on green building.