
AFFORDABLE SOLAR Wholesale Prices on Solar Electric Systems and Energy Efficient Appliances
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY STORE Discount Retailer for Solar & Wind Power Products for Home Construction
DAVIS CAVES EARTH SHELTER HOMES Energy Efficient Homes & Offices
ECODESIGNZ Environmentally Friendly Solid Bamboo Furniture, Doors, and Floors Made Affordable Through Direct Internet Sales
ELEMENTALLED.COM. Construct Energy Efficient Buildings with Professional LED Lighting Solutions from ElementalLED.com
ENVIROGLAS PRODUCTS INC. Elegant, Sustainable 100% Recycled Glass Terrazzo Surfaces and Landscaping Materials
ESOLARZONE.COM Top Quality Solar Tube Skylights, Solar Attic Fans, Solar Systems, Affordable Pricing
EVERGREEN PRODUCTS - THERMOPLASTIC MOLDERS
ENVIROSCAPE Training Tools - Tabletop Models Showing Landfills,Hazardous Spills, Wetlands, Watersheds
GOOD SHEPHERD WOOL INSULATION Sheep Wool Insulation Batts for Frame and Timberframe Homes, or in Rope for Log Homes
HEALTHYHOME.COM Paint, Stains, Finishes, Flooring, Air / Water Filters, Lighting and Design Consultation
LABYRINTH COMPANY Walking Meditation Labyrinths - Paver, Garden & Floor Kit Systems; Design
Services; Portables, Rentals & Gifts
MR. LIGHT Solar Christmas, Led String Lights, Rechargeable Candles, Solar Garden Stakes, Grow Lights, Solar Wreaths, LED Window Snowflakes
PLANET EARTH HOME Design/Plan Your Home Using Sustainable Materials, Passive Solar, Greenhouse, and Environmentally-Friendly Methods
POSITIVE ENERGY CONSERVATION PRODUCTS The Green Builder's Catalog
SAHARA, INC. Safer Paints, Stains, & Wood Finishes. Wool Carpet and Other Eco-Friendly Products.
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS Water Heating, Lighting Systems, Pool Heating, Equipment/Design. Commercial A/C Systems.
SOLARSANTA Outdoor Solar Christmas Lights, Solar Powered String and Net Lights, Solar Garden Stakes, Solar Snowflakes
SUNDANCE SUPPLY Owner Built Polycarbonate Greenhouses, Solariums, PoolEnclosures
TANKLESS WATER HEATERS BY SETS Save Money, Space and Have Unlimited Hot Water
WHOLESALE SOLAR Solar and Wind Products for Your New Home
Using products made from renewable resources like green construction materials and plantation-grown woods helps mitigate the stress human consumption places on our global ecosystem.
"'Green building' is the next wave, and it's here to stay." An excerpt of a speech by Kenneth D. Lewis, CEO and President of Bank of America.
The Problem With BuildingsBuildings Use
40 percent of raw stone, gravel and sand; comparable share of other processed materials such as steel, adding to
landscape destruction,
toxic runoff from mines and tailings,
deforestation,
air and water pollution from processing25% of virgin wood is used for construction, adding to
deforestation,
flooding, siltation,
biological and cultural diversity losses40% of total energy use, adding to
local air pollution,
acid rain,
damming of rivers,
nuclear waste,
risk of global warming16 percent of total water withdrawals, adding to
Water pollution; competes with agriculture and ecosystems for waterComparable in industrial countries to municipal solid waste generation, adding to
landfill problems, such as leaching of heavy metals and water pollutionPoor air quality in 30 percent of new and renovated buildings, adding to
higher incidence of sicknesslost productivity in tens of billions annuallySource: World Watch Institute
With over $175 billion in new commercial construction annually, the environmental burden imposed by the construction and operation of buildings will continue to rise. Therefore, a new model for design that takes into account environmental impact over the life of the building is necessary. Sustainable design evaluates every design decision in order to evaluate potential impact on the environment, occupant health and comfort, and the bottom line.
Fortunately, many of the concepts and technologies that may be employed to reduce environmental impact in construction and operation can be implemented at no extra cost. Life-cycle cost accounting, which looks at long-term cost and return on investment, as well as environmental costs, makes some design options look more attractive once they are evaluated on other than just first cost.
Shop by Keywords Above or by Categories Below.
Updated Daily!
* * * IN-HOUSE RESOURCES * * * ![]()