Module 6: Green Building
Green Building Technologies and Practices
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Indoor environmental quality
The U.S. EPA found that average Americans spend more than 90 percent of their time indoors, and indoor air quality can be two to five times worse than outdoor air quality.13 In green-building design, indoor environmental quality (IEQ) is addressed through air quality, specifying materials with reduced emissions, daylighting and views, and individual control systems.
Indoor air quality (IAQ) has been found to have major effects on building occupants. Green-building design optimizes IAQ through ventilation optimization, moisture control, and proper management of contaminants. During construction, this approach means that dust and vapors are properly controlled to prevent injury to workers and the possible contamination of HVAC equipment. After construction, IAQ is controlled through the use or elimination of certain types of chemicals.
For more information about IAQ, see:
Environmental Protection Agency, Indoor Air Quality
Indoor Air Quality Association, Inc.
Daylighting is the exposure of building occupants to natural light. Studies have shown that worker productivity increases dramatically in daylit areas. Daylighting also reduces energy demand for lighting and cooling loads associated with lighting.
For more information about daylighting, see:
Daylighting Collaborative, Cool Daylighting
Whole Building Design Guide, Daylighting
Individual control systems for building occupants not only increase thermal comfort, but also lighting and ventilation. Energy use can be greatly reduced when workers are able to turn off lights that are not needed. Employee satisfaction also greatly increases when employees are capable of controlling the temperature and ventilation of spaces.
For more information about individual lighting controls, see:
Whole Building Design Guide, Electric Lighting Controls
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