Sustainable building is compelling territory for me. Considering today's advanced building technologies, there are no excuses for slap-chop new construction. Building America is a program I am learning more about everyday, as I take time to research their initiatives and understand their goals. According to their own website, Building America is an industry-driven research program sponsored by the US Dept. of Energy. They exist in order to accelerate the development and adoption of whole-house building technologies--- after all, why have all this great innovation without using it???
Their goals include integrated onsite energy systems, improving indoor air quality, and reduced waste. That includes both construction waste---and the potential power waste while you live in the home.
I feel as if just being a woman makes me ultra qualified to shout the praises of whole-house planning BEFORE building anything!!!
Having grown-up and lived in MANY new homes built by, well, let's let them remain nameless---there are just certain things that women need AND that qualify as reduced waste. What about pull-out garbage drawers? Hmm? And TWO electric sockets in the bathroom. And please, all male architects---give the woman enough counterspace on the side of the sink with the plug to put down a flat iron or hairdryer. I guess my examples are details that save human energy---but they translate my point. Whole-house planning is best done before the walls go up.
So what DOES whole-house planning entail? It's choosing elements that have the least cost (sure, we get that) AND have the highest value. They are CLIMATE SPECIFIC!!! They are: SUPER effecient walls, foundations, windows and roofs. Using passive solar heating in conjuction with the right kind of windows and insulation can change your energy output by 30% or more. So, these are the places where your budget is spent. Plumbing fixtures, wall coverings, window treatments (blinds), flooring, countertop materials---these are simply icing on the cake---they are not what holds your house together. These fluffies are the extras we save up to change later on down the road.
For more info, check out the Dept. of Energy!