In the News

April 2007

by CHRISTINA STYAN
CHRONICLE staff writer

DARTMOUTH - Attendees at the “Going Green” forum at the Quinn Elementary learned the basic principals for a “sustainable approach to residential design and construction by  listening to techniques for constructing a “green” home, heard simple effective ways to start greening their present homes and learned ten bad landscaping practices.  “As a building industry we have an ability to make a huge impact on over sized homes or a house without a soul,” said Architect and panelist William Saltonstall.  He added building a home can generate 12,000 lbs of construction waste.

  The Lloyd Center for the Environment, Westport River Watershed Alliance (WRWA) and Southeastern Environmental Education Alliance (SEEAL) co-sponsored the green building forum held at Quinn Elementary School. A panel of four “green” experts discussed sustainable strategies that designers, property owners and building contractors could use in residential projects.  Using a local home Mr. Saltonstall explained how erecting a green building integrates the design phase with pre-engineering combining the owners and community interests.   
The new building should demonstrate water efficiency and waste management and have a low maintenance exterior the architect suggested. 

 In designing the house, the builder should consider taking advantage of the home’s potential orientation to the sun and natural breezes.  “The cost up front may be additional but the payback in energy costs is vital.  There should be a thoughtful approach to construction waste,” he indicated.  “There should be a thoughtful approach to construction waste,” Mr. Saltonstall added.  Managing the construction waste should also be part of the design process as 15, 000 of the 20,000 landfills in the United States is closed or over capacity.

A green home uses less energy water and natural resources.  “They create less waste and are healthier for the people living inside.  Interior health quality and interior air quality are most important,” explained Clearwater Architect John Montano.  The Westport based firm emphasizes new construction, adaptive reuse and historic preservation.  He emphasized using wood that has been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).  The FSC guards proper forest cutting procedures.

Buildings that demonstrate excellence in energy conservation may qualify for the blue Energy Star mark.  “Our goal is to increase marketability of the Energy Star label.  If you are building your own home there is really no reason not to make it energy efficient,” remarked Administrator for Energy Star Dave Boettcher.  For making an existing home more efficient he suggested using compact fluorescent light bulbs which use 75 percent less electricity and last longer.

Landscape Designer Groundscapes Express Nick Novick discussed green strategies for residential landscaping and rainwater collection.  “If you have a lawn and want it to be green use an organic fertilizer in spring and fall and spot kill weeds, you would be ahead of the game,” he noted.  He underscored the value of protecting groundwater, using native plants, protecting views and inspecting irrigation systems.

The panelists answered questions about older homes.  “Is it feasible to retrofit all these homes for more efficient heat and air conditioning,” asked Westport resident Catherine Williams.

Mr. Montano answered that it is expensive to retrofit an existing home but good insulation pays back rapidly.  “There is a value system when talking about “green.”  It is a social conscious, a quality of life (issue) and a social responsibility to reduce our carbon footprint,” he said.  He suggested a simple project such as fixing a home’s front door to reduce the escape of heat as an easy way to cut energy costs. 

Benefits of a “green” home include reduced greenhouse gas emissions and less exposure to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins.  The two remaining energy forums concentrate on the rising use of Solar Energy and Biomass and Biofuels.  The Solar Energy forum takes place on Wednesday March 21 from 7 to 9 pm at the Westport Middle School.  The date and place for the final forum is to be announced.    

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