Marilyn’s Ultimate Green Building Checklist
A Green Checklist is essentially a list of building materials and methods that you can incorporate into your project to make it GREEN. Within the past decade, many Green Building Checklists have been created around the world. They have been developed by different government entities, public utilities, non-profit organizations and private entities with the overarching intent to clarify the many ways in which we can design and build GREEN.
The most well known and referenced Green Building Checklist in the United States is the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Guidelines. Architects, builders and even entire government jurisdictions refer to LEED to guide their commercial and municipal building projects. Since the U.S.G.B.C has yet to publish a Green Building Checklist for residential projects, other entities have developed their own. In California, the most respected and frequently referenced Residential Green Building Checklist is that of the Alameda County Waste Management Authority (ACWMA). In combination, the LEED and ACWMA Guidelines represent the definition of green building in California today. But neither LEED nor ACWMA nor any other Green Building Checklist is currently comprehensive—none of them list ALL of the ways in which to build green—until now.
Marilyn has created a COMPREHENSIVE Green Building Checklist. This Checklist not only covers the contents of LEED and ACWMA but ALSO INCLUDES ALL of the other green products and practices referenced in other green building Checklists, books, articles and classes. In this way, Marilyn’s Green Building Checklist is the most thorough and up-to-date reference to Green Building today. Moreover, this Checklist is organized according to what “kind” of green the product or practice is. That way, you can search for green building materials/methods based on whether you are most concerned with 1) Improving Health/Comfort 2) Conserving Resources 3) Increasing Energy Efficiency or 4) Respecting the Site and Promoting Community.
I hope that this comprehensive Green Building Checklist helps you determine how your project will be GREEN!
IMPROVE HEALTH and COMFORT
NON-TOXIC MATERIALS
Use low/non-toxic materials to reduce sources of hazardous fumes
Paints and Coatings:
• CODE: Green Seal VOC and Chemical Component limits
• Low/No-VOC and Formaldehyde-Free Paint
• Removal or isolation of Lead-based Paint
Adhesives:
• CODE: South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule #1168 VOC limits
• Soy-based adhesives
• Solvent-free adhesives
Sealants, Caulking and Lubricants:
• CODE: Bay Area Air Quality Management District Reg. 8, Rule 51
• Non-toxic form release lubricants
Finishes:
• Low VOC Finishes
• Water-based Wood Finishes
• Color concrete with mineral pigments, no acid-washing
Carpets:
• CODE: Carpet & Rug Institute Green Label Indoor Air Quality Test Program
• Low-VOC carpets
Wood:
• Formaldehyde-free medium density fiberboard (MDF) for cabinet, shelving & countertop substrate
• Composite wood and agrifiber products must contain no added urea-formaldehyde resins
• Non-chromium/arsenic treated wood
• Non CCA treated wood
Furniture and accessories:
• Low- or no-VOC furnishings and accessories
Floor:
• Exposed concrete as a finished floor
• Wool or sisal carpet
• Natural Linoleum
Cleaners, Pesticides, Fungicides, and Pest Control:
• Use non-toxic pesticides, fungicides, and pest control
• Use non-toxic cleaners
Vents, Pipes and Ducts:
• Use non-toxic materials for vents, pipes and ducts
Heating, Ventilating and A/C Systems:
• Eliminate wood burning fireplaces
Insulation:
• Use Cellulose Insulation for walls and ceilings
• Use low HCFC rigid insulation
• Formaldehyde-free Fiberglass insulation
• Removal or isolation of asbestos
Roofing:
• Nontoxic roofing for water catchment
Maintenance:
• Clean ducts without chemicals
• Use materials that do not require toxic or harmful maintenance procedures
Other:
• Use materials that are least toxic in fire
• Eliminate materials that pollute or are toxic during their manufacture
PREVENTION OF DUST, MOLD AND MILDEW
Prevent the accumulation of dust, mold and mildew to reduce causes of asthma and allergies
• Prevent gaps in insulation
• Use continuous insulation such as SIPS or strawbale
• Housewrap
• Prevent mold
• Minimize dust
VENTILATION
Provide adequate ventilation to disperse of air-borne pollutants
Standard:
• ASHRAE Standards for Ventilation
Systems:
• Displacement Ventilation
• Low-velocity ventilation
• Plug flow ventilation such as under-floor or near floor delivery
• Air de-stratification system
• No closed loop air systems
• Operable windows
Design Strategies:
• Natural Ventilation
• Fresh air intake from organic landscaping
• No fresh air intake for polluted air sources such as traffic, street, or near equipment’s exhaust vents
• Negative air pressure to discourage air entry from undesired adjacent sources
POLLUTION ISOLATION
Isolate toxic materials and fumes to reduce exposure to health hazards
• Vent range hoods to the outside
• Install Whole House Vacuum System
• Provide drains plumbed for appropriate disposal of liquid waste in spaces where water and chemical concentrate mixing occurs.
• Design separate exhaust and plumbing systems for rooms with contaminants to achieve physical isolation from the rest of the building.
• Install permanent architectural entryway systems such as grills or grates to prevent occupant-borne contaminants from entering the building.
• Provide areas with structural deck to deck partitions with separate outside exhausting, no air re-circulation and negative pressure where chemical use occurs (including copier rooms)
• Seal all exposed Particleboard or MDF with at least 2 coats of less-toxic, low permeability paint or sealer
• Separate Garage Exhaust Fan
• Hydronic radiant heating & cooling
• Prevent air in utility closet from mixing with occupant air
• Isolate trash and food smells
• Install air-tight doors on fireplaces
• Seal all exposed particleboard or MDF
• Isolate florescent light tubes; prevents mercury pollution
• Prohibit smoking in the building or provide separate smoking rooms with isolated ventilation systems
POLLUTION FILTRATION and REDUCTION
Avoid exposure of building occupants to potentially hazardous chemicals that adversely impact IAQ
Air Filters:
• STANDARD: HEPA or Austin Air Filters
• Whole house air filters
• Vapor permeable infiltration barrier
• Indoor plants
Water Filters:
Water filter on water fixtures (i.e. shower heads and faucets)
Whole house water filters
Carbon Dioxide Reduction:
• Design the HVAC system with carbon dioxide monitoring sensors and integrate these sensors with the building automation system (BAS)
• Gas pilot light
• Duct Mastic on all Duct Joists
• SealCombustion Furnaces
• Seal Hot Water Heaters
Radiation Reduction
• Low Electromagnetic Fields (EMF)
• Moving interior water for negative ions
• Isolate microwave operation from occupants
• Shield electromagnetic fields
• Reduce static charge
CONSTRUCTION IAQ MANAGEMENT PLAN
• Develop a Construction Management Plan
• CODE: SMACNA IAQ Guideline for Occupied Building under Construction
• Conduct a baseline IAQ testing procedure consistent with current EPA Protocol for Environmental Requirements
• Protect stored on-site or installed absorptive materials from moisture damage
• Sequence installation of materials to avoid contamination of absorptive materials such as insulation, carpeting, ceiling, tile, and gypsum wallboard.
• Clean or vacuum all ductwork before occupancy
• Filtration media have a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) of 13
• Conduct a minimum two-week building flush out with new filtration media prior to occupancy
• Replace all filtration media immediately prior to occupancy
• Minimize dust & airborne materials to occupants & neighbors during construction
INCREASE COMFORT
Natural Lighting
• Windows in all occupied areas
• Increase building perimeter
• Model day-lighting strategies with a physical or computer model
• Full-spectrum lighting
Noise Pollution
• Entrance airlocks & revolving doors to reduce sound transmission & save energy
• Assure acoustic privacy
• Isolate equipment noise
• Optimize acoustics
Functional Comfort
• Feng shui
Aesthetic Comfort
• Appropriate colors, ceiling heights, surface treatments & room proportions
• Maximize view opportunities; No confined views
Controllability of Systems
• Operable Windows
• Task Lighting
• Underfloor HVAC systems with individual diffusers
• Lighting control zones
Thermal Comfort
• Establish temperature and humidity comfort ranges
• Comply with ASHRAE Standard 55-1992, Addenda 1995 for thermal comfort
• Install a permanent temperature and humidity monitoring system configured to provide operators control
• Install a permanent temperature and humidity monitoring system to automatically adjust building conditions as appropriate
CONSERVE RESOURCES
CONSTRUCTION WASTE MANAGEMENT
• Establish goals for landfill diversion and adopt a construction waste management plan to achieve goals
• Identify construction haulers and recyclers to handle the designated materials
• Designate a specific area on the construction site for recycling
• Recycle land clearing debris, cardboard, metals, brick, concrete, plastic, clean wood, glass, gypsum, wallboard, carpet, insulation, etc.
• Quantify material diversion by weight
• Donate unused materials to Habitat for Humanity, local Youth Building Programs, or ADPSR
BUILDING REUSE
• Maintain part or all of existing building structure, shell (exterior skin, windows, framing) and non-shell (walls, floor coverings, ceiling systems) elements
• Design for reuse of building and materials
RESOURCE REUSE
• Use salvaged and/or reconditioned products, equipment & furnishings such as beams, posts, flooring, paneling, doors and frames, cabinetry and furniture, decks, brick and decorative items.
• Re-usable concrete forms; particularly aluminum forms
• Broken concrete to build retaining wall or path
• Ground glass cullet for walkways
• Design for durability & eventual re-use
• Reclaimed lumber
RECYCLED CONTENT MATERIALS
• Recycled content wood products
• Recycled plastic lumber or composite lumber decking
• Hardboard: recycled content siding
• Recycled aggregate
• Composite products from agricultural post-harvest
• Strawbale structures
• Earthships: recycled tire structures
• Salvaged building materials
• Fly ash concrete
• Recycled aggregate content concrete
• Recycled rubble for drain rock
• Use materials that can be recycled rather than land fill at end of useful life
• Recycled content fiberglass insulation
• Recycled content cotton insulation
• Recycled content cellulose insulation for walls and ceilings
• Recycled content ceramic tiles
• Recycled content carpet
• Recylced content roofing materials
• Recycled tire content roofing tiles
• Recycled slate roofing
• Recycled asphalt roofing
LOCAL/REGIONAL MATERIALS
• Earthen foundation, floors, structures and/or finishes
• Cob
• Rammed earth
• Adobe brick
• Locally-harvested or processed wood materials
• Other local/regionally harvested, manufactured or processed materials
RAPIDLY RENEWABLE MATERIALS
• Strawbale
• Bamboo floors; frames
• Cork flooring
• Wool carpet
• Strawboard
• Cotton batten insulation
• Linoleum flooring
• Poplar OSB
• Sunflower seed board
• Wheatgrass cabinetry
CERTIFIED WOOD
• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified Wood for trim, doors, shelving, flooring, decking, etc.
ALTERNATIVES TO WOOD
• Composite structure to reduce solid wood use
• Engineered Lumber
• Metal Stud framing
• OSB for sheathing and subfloors
• Engineered studs
• Fiber-cement exterior siding
DURABLE MATERIALS
• 40 year roofing
• Finger-jointed studs for non-structural vertical applications
• Wood I-Joists for floor and ceiling joists
• Steel web trusses primarily for long-span floor joists
• Spacing, sizing, & modular dimensions that minimize lumber use & waste
• Use advanced framing techniques
WATER EFFICIENCY
• Landscape with slow-growing, drought-tolerant, preferably California native plants
• Landscape with perennials instead of annuals
• Permaculture
• Xeriscaping
• Limit turf to the smallest area that will meet recreational needs
• Rain Water catchment & storage; use for landscaping
• Water harvesting from fog/dew
• Water desalinization systems
• Waterless urinals
• Composting toilets
• Incinerator toilets
• High efficiency toilets
• Low-flow plumbing fixtures (Energy Policy Act of 1992 fixture performance requirements)
• Eliminate leaks
• Water table recharge how?
• Use ground water from sump pumps –why is this green?
• Water conservation- how?
• High efficiency irrigation systems
• Low-flow drip
• Sub-surface drip
• Low-flow sprinklers
• Reduce evaporation thru irrigation @ dawn & dusk
• Moisture sensors
• Weather based controllers
• Group plants by water requirements
• On-demand hot water circulation pump
Innovative Wastewater Management Systems
• Grey water reclamation; use for landscaping
• On-site wastewater treatment systems (mechanical or natural)
• Water purification ponds
RECYCLING FACILITIES
Facilitate the reduction of waste generated by building occupants that is sent to landfills
• Designate an area for recyclable collection and storage that is appropriately sized and located in a convenient area
• Identify local waste handlers and buyers for recyclable materials including organic wastes
• Instruct occupants on building recycling procedures
• Consider employing cardboard balers, can crushers, recycling and composting chutes and other waste management technologies
• Built-in recycling centers built into kitchen cabinets and stand alone units in garage, etc.
SENSITIVITY TO SITE
SITE SELECTION
Do not develop buildings on portions of sites that meet any of the following:
• Prime farmland
• Land with elevation lower that 5 ft above the 100 year flood elevation
• Land which provides habitat for endangered species
• Within 100 feet of any wetland
• Land which prior to acquisition for the project was public parkland
Urban Redevelopment
• Give preference to urban sites with high development densities
Brownfield Site Development
• CODE: EPA’s Sustainable Redevelopment of Brownfields Program requirements
• Give preference to brownfields sites
• Adopt a site remediation plan
• Clean-up the site using remediation strategies
• Pump and treat
• Bioreactors
• Land Farming
• In-situ remediation
ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION
• Design for easy pedestrian access
• Locate building close to bus line, commuter rail, light rail, or subway station
• Provide suitable means for securing bicycles with changing/shower facilities
• Install alternative-fuel refueling stations
• Provide preferred parking for carpools or van pools
• Perform a transportation survey of future building occupants to identify transportation needs
• Share transportation facilities such as parking lots and refueling stations with neighbors
REDUCED SITE DISTURBANCE
• Minimize Building Footprint:
• Stack Building Program
• Tuck under Parking
• Sharing Facilities with neighbors
• Cluster development to minimize paving and utilities
• Balance cut and fill
• Establish clearly marked construction boundaries
• Delineate and limit the construction footprint
• Restrict heavy equipment that compacts soil, including cars, to areas that will be paved or built over
• When grading is unavoidable, identify areas to be paved as a place to store native topsoil during construction
• Amend soil with compost and re-spread topsoil after construction
• Preserve and/or relocate mature trees
• Fence trees and shrubs for protection from equipment during construction
• Give plants plenty of room to mature, reduces the need for pruning
• Avoid invasive species and hedges that need constant shearing
• Remove & store top soil during construction
• Restore previously degraded areas to their natural state
• Keep materials out of the rain
• Store hazardous waste in drums and covered bins and contract company to dispose of properly
• Locate building to preserve open space & wildlife habitat
• No pesticides or garden chemicals in landscaping
• Minimal building footprint
• Less excavation & soil transportation to the land fill
• Cluster buildings to minimize paving
• Exceed local zoning’s open space requirement for the site
IMPROVE SITE
• Composting
• Edible landscaping
• Create habitat or wildlife corridors for indigenous species
EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION CONTROL
• CODE: EPA’s Storm Water Management for Construction Activities (EPA_832-R-92-005)
• Local Erosion and Sedimentation Control standards and codes
• Temporary and permanent seeding
• Mulching
• Engineered or vegetated swales to filter drainage runoff
• Silt Fencing
• Sedimentation Traps such as Filter Fabric Cloth
• Sediment Basins
• Stockpile topsoil for reuse
• Retain native vegetation
• Paving drainage filter
• Water quality ponds
• Oil grit separators
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
• CODE: EPA’s Guidelines Specifying Management Measures for Sources of Non-point Pollution in Coastal Waters
• Roof gardens
• Pervious pavement
• Vegetated filter strips
• Bio-swales
• Water treatment systems
• Don’t dump anything down storm drains during construction
• Minimize roadway width
• Avoid contiguous impermeable surfaces
• Design infiltration basin and berms
REDUCE HEAT ISLANDS
• Energy Star Roof-compliant, high reflective and high emissivity roofing
• White roofs
• Green (vegetated) roofs
• Provide shade on non-roofed impervious surfaces including parking lots, walkways, plazas, etc.
• Use light-coloured/ high albedo materials for impervious surfaces
• Place parking underground
• Use open-grid pavement systems
• Shade constructed surfaces with landscape features and minimize the overall building footprint
• Consider replacing constructed surfaces (i.e. roofs, roads, sidewalks, etc.) with vegetated surfaces
LIGHT POLLUTION REDUCTION
• CODE: IESNA Recommended Practice Manual: Lighting for Exterior Environments’
• Design interior and exterior lighting such that zero direct-beam illumination leaves the building site
• Cutoff luminaries
• Low-reflectance surfaces
• Low angle spotlights
• Model the site lighting using a computer model
COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY
• Orient living rooms and porches to streets and public spaces
• Build Mixed Use, Residential/Commercial
• Design for Diverse Family Types
• Provide Granny Flats above Garages
• Minimize street widths
• Build mixed-use developments
Provide public amenities such as open space
EFFICIENT ENERGY USE
CODES: Title 24 for Energy Efficiency
ENERGY MONITORING and AUDITS
• Energy audits
• Energy modeling
DESIGN STRATEGIES
• Framing on 24’’ centers
• Orient building on East/West axis for solar access
• Overhangs and Awnings on South Facing windows
• Locate ductwork in conditioned spaces
• Natural Daylighting
• Evaporative cooling
• Solarium / Green house
• Natural ventilation
• Electrical car recharging station
• Thermal mass
• Low embodied energy materials
• Project encourages alternative transportation
LANDSCAPING
• Deciduous Shade Trees on the West and South Sides
• Evaporative Cooling ponds in courtyards
STRUCTURAL FRAME
• Energy heels where conventional trusses are used
PLUMBING
• Insulate hot water pipes in all runs through unconditioned spaces
• Insulate both hot and cold pipes at least 6ft from the hot water heater to prevent convective circulation
• Pool pump timer
INSULATION
• Wall and ceiling insulation to exceed Title 24
• Insulate foundation with extruded polystyrene insulation of at least R-4
• Insulate foundation with Insulated Concrete forms (ICFs)
• Use rigid foam forming systems wherever an insulated foundation is desirable
• Cellulose insulation
• Seal holes between floor and stud cavities around wire runs with expandable foam and caulk
• Stop air leakage at doors and windows
• Roof Insulation
• Floor insulation
• Mechanical duct insulation
• Straw bale insulation
• SIPs insulation
• Radiant Barrier Roof Sheathing
WINDOWS
• Double-pane or triple pane windows
• Low emissivity (Low-E) windows
• Low conductivity frames—wood framing
• Exterior and Interior Shading Devices
• High Performance Glazing
APPLIANCES
• ENERGY STAR ® refrigerators, dish washers, clothes washers, furnaces, air conditioners
• Horizontal axis washing machine
• Higher efficiency furnaces
• Eliminate wood burning furnaces
• Gas ovens, stoves, and clothes dryers
• Use a building energy management system
RENEWABLE ENERGY
• Solar Water System or Pre-plumb for future Solar Water Heating
• Solar assisted radiant floor
• Photovoltaic Panels or Pre-wire for Future Photovoltaic (PV) Installation
• Fuel cell
• Geothermal
• Biomass methane
• Humanure methane
• Co-generation systems
• Ground source heat pump
• Solar ovens
• Wind mill
• Micro-hydro
• Bio-gas
HEATING, VENTILATION & AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC)
• HVAC Commissioning
• Raise setpoints to 78 Degrees – setpoints of what?
• Use duct mastic on all Duct Joints
• Install ductwork within conditioned spaces
• Attic ventilation
• Efficient Gas Forced Air Furnace
• Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) Furnace
• Hydronic Radiant Floor Heating
• Heat Recovery Ventilation Unit (HRV)
• 13 SEER and 11 EER or Higher Air Conditioning with a Thermostatic Expansion Valve
• High efficiency ceiling fans
• Whole house fans
• Tankless water heater
• On demand hot water circulation pump
• (Rem.) Replace Electric and Wall-mounted Gas Heaters with Heat pumps
• Ground source heat pumps
• (Rem.) Hot Water Jacket Insulation
• Water heat recovery system
• No mechanical cooling- natural ventilation
• Zone mechanical systems for more efficient heating and cooling
• Night ventilation
• Shift large occassional loads into evening hours
LIGHTING
• Compact Flourescent Light Bulbs
• Air-tight Insulation-Compatible Recessed Lighting Fixtures
• Lighting Controls
• Design lighting levels for actual use
• Task Lighting
• Solar (PV) Walkway Lights
• Dimming ballasts
• T-8s with electronic ballasts
• High Intensity Discharge lamps
• Induction lamps
• High efficiency “EXIT” signs
• Controls
• Occupancy
• Timers
• Photo sensor
• Daylighting controls- specify
ROOFING
• Cool roofs
• Energy star rated roofs
CFC and HCFC REDUCTION
• Non-CFC or HCFC Refrigerants
• Zero Ozone Depleting (ODP) potential insulation