By Tony LaColla, Public Participation Coordinator

Basic principles of green building include materials which can be acquired within a 500-mile radius of the building site to minimize the use of fuel, orienting the building to take advantage of wind direction and angle of the sun, and using well-insulated windows, doors, and walls, to reduce energy usage.  Taking advantage of available natural light reduces dependence on artificial light sources. Using Energy Star rated products such as appliances, lighting, home electronics, and home office equipment also helps reduce water and energy use.

Green construction uses low-impact materials: for example, insulation made from low VOC (volatile organic compound) emitting materials such as recycled denim, rather than the fiberglass insulation which is dangerous to breathe.  Organic or milk-based paints may be used.  Architectural salvage and reclaimed materials are used if possible.  When older buildings are demolished, frequently any good wood is reclaimed, renewed, and sold or used as flooring.  Many other parts are reused as well, such as doors, windows, mantels, and hardware, thus reducing the demand and consumption of new goods.   Green home designers look for flooring materials that are rapidly replenished, such as bamboo, which can be harvested for commercial use after only 6 years of growth, or cork oak, in which only the outer bark is removed for use, thus preserving the tree.

Green building can be focused simply on the structure itself, the structure and its surroundings, or encompass an entire neighborhood or city.  The benefits of green building go beyond simply using environmentally preferred products, materials, and services. Green building also lends to healthier and more productive work environments, historical preservation, less local and global adverse environmental impacts, conservation of non-renewable natural resources, and increased recycling and materials reuse.

Construction costs for building green might add 2-5% to a project, however that is quickly made up in energy savings and increased home value.  According to the Sustainable Buildings Energy Council, green homes can see an energy savings of 40-70% per month.  Within two to five years, any added cost of construction pays for itself in energy savings.  For the average 30 year life of a building, the energy cost savings can be enormous. 

In a recent survey of over 250 U.S. homebuilders by Green Builder Media, more than half said buyers would pay 11-25% more for green built homes.  Builders are now realizing the demand and potential of the “green building market.”  It can be profitable for the builder as well as beneficial to the environment.

Jennifer Languell, Vice President with the Florida Green Building Coalition, Inc.  in a 2006 interview with Tampa Bay Business Journal said “I don't see green building remaining a niche.  The fact that we have more limited resources and electricity is costing more, you can't open a magazine right now without seeing something green in it.  Within the next year, nationwide, we will have more than 50 percent of all builders going green. "

Hillsborough County and its municipalities are slowly catching up with many other cities in the U.S. and the world in developing “green building” projects.  The trend is now making its way into many Hillsborough County projects.  The future is here.

As part of the Planning Commission’s effort to increase awareness of going green, Dr. Luisa Dempere from the University of Florida, will make a presentation on “Green Building in Florida” at the August 13 Planning Commission Regular Meeting.