Environmental and financial building costs have been in an upward spiral for decades, with no end in sight.  One way to fight this trend is to use green construction materials and methods whenever possible.  They offer many advantages over traditional approaches.

Cost Savings

When viewed as a whole, green construction materials offer significant financial benefits when compared to traditional components.  This is true for the following reasons:

1. Green materials are often recycled or reclaimed from other projects, avoiding initial production fees.
2. They make it easier to conform to building codes, which are becoming increasingly stringent across the nation.  This reduces or eliminates costly delays in obtaining permits and passing inspections.
3. Many green materials are becoming less expensive every day, due to increased production and improved fabrication methods.  The exact opposite is true of more traditional products.
4. Major cities such as Chicago, as well as states like New York, are offering bonuses and other incentives to spur the development of building projects that incorporate green materials and methods into their makeup.

Enhanced Health, Productivity, and Well-Being

The hazards of using traditional materials in construction are well-documented.  Not the least of these is the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which have a proven association with increased cancer risks and other health problems.

Green products are free of such contaminants.  For example, wheat straw can be formed into sheets that perform the same function as plywood, without the use of formaldehyde.  Vinyl-free floor coverings don’t contain that substance’s many toxins.

Being guided by such facts in selecting construction materials offers many benefits.  It enhances the overall environment in the completed structure, leading (in the case of commercial buildings) to more productive employees, and (in the case of residential dwellings) to healthier, more physically active occupants.

Also, green construction materials go hand in hand with environmentally friendly building designs and methods, which incorporate natural light sources, open spaces, and brighter surroundings.  All of these elements are associated with enhanced health and greater happiness.  They have considerable payoffs for employers, builders, health care providers, and society at large.

Achieving These Benefits

In order to reap the rewards of using green materials and methods, a commitment to using them must be made from the project’s onset, even prior to obtaining the first general construction permit.  The engineers, architects, consultants, and other professionals should be well-versed in environmentally friendly building methods.  They should work together to ensure that every possible sustainable method is taken advantage of.  For example, water systems should be designed to collect and use local rainfall as much as possible.

Site Choice Criteria

Choosing an appropriate location for the project involves numerous considerations.  Some of the factors that could disqualify a particular choice include:

1. The nearby presence of endangered species.
2. The site’s cultural or historical significance.
3. The need to deforest large areas, significantly alter the landscape, or disrupt the local ecosystem in any major way, such as altering the course of waterways or draining wetlands.

Determining that the land shouldn’t serve another purpose, such as agricultural production or providing recreational opportunities, is also an essential part of this stage of the project.  While these considerations might limit the choice of sites, they will help ensure that the final structure is an asset to the surrounding environment, not a detriment to it.

Site Design

Traditional architecture has done far too little to consider the effect of local resources such as sunlight and wind on the shape the completed structure should take. For example, air conditioning bills are affected by the predominant breezes in the area.  Areas free of existing trees can incorporate natural sunlight into structures better than can locations in valleys or those with significant overhead vegetation cover.

A long, narrow structure is well-suited to making the most of prospects for solar power generation.  Locating fixed structures, like stairwells, in the building’s interior zones can leave room for work areas to receive a greater share of natural light.

Planting and Landscaping

Eco-friendly structures incorporate vegetation choices into their overall design.  For example, traditional lawns require maintenance by gas-driven lawn mowing equipment and the use of pesticides.  They provide little in return other than conformance to cultural norms.  Alternative plants such as Dutch clover, on the other hand, have a pleasing appearance, require little or no upkeep, and provide food for wildlife.

As much as possible, the choice of plants, shrubs, and trees must be determined by what is native to the local environment.  For example, arid regions are home to drought-resistant plant species that flourish on minimal water, greatly reducing or even eliminating the need for such intrusive methods as installing sprinkler systems.  A green landscaping plan will take such factors into consideration.

Technology

Modern building automation developments offer significant benefits for minimizing waste and should be incorporated into the structure as much as possible.  Motion detectors can switch off lights in unoccupied rooms.  Individualized climate control systems can limit heating and cooling to areas of the building where people are present.  HVAC systems that use green refrigerants avoid the damage to the ozone layer caused by CFCs.  In addition, wind turbines and solar panels should furnish as much of the building’s power needs as possible.

Burnham Nationwide Can Help With Your Green Building Project

We can provide you with the assistance of a LEED accredited professional to advise you on all aspects of eco-friendly building materials and methods.  This will help ensure that your completed structure will benefit from as much as possible from all applicable certifications and incentives.  Get in touch with us today, and put our expertise and experience to work for you.

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As more cities and municipalities become environmentally conscious, green building technologies will be increasingly adopted across the country.  Because of this, it’s important to have a basic understanding of what “green” or sustainable building is all about.  Here’s a look at the major concepts and practices that fall under these terms.

General Goals

The overarching purpose of green construction is to reduce the environmental impact of human building activities.  In specific terms, this translates into objectives such as:

1. Using water, energy, and other resources as efficiently as possible.
2. In residential settings, protecting the health of occupants; in commercial or industrial settings, safeguarding the well-being of customers, visitors, and employees.
3. Reducing or eliminating the amounts of pollution and waste products generated, both during the building process as well as during everyday use of the property.
4. Accomplishing these goals while also achieving an acceptable level of human comfort.

In short, green construction seeks to accomplish building projects without burdening future generations with health or environmental costs.

History of Green Building

The sustainable construction movement goes back to the dawning of ecological awareness in the 1960s.  It gained further support as a result of the energy crises of the 1970s.  Today, it constitutes a major sub-category under the umbrella of construction techniques and practices.  Among its emphases are passive and active solar systems, rainwater collection for drinking, bathing and sanitary uses, and maximizing thermal efficiency to minimize use of resources such as coal, electricity, and heating oil.

Innovations like these are sorely needed in today’s world.  A study released by the International Energy Agency shows that 40% of the world’s energy consumption is caused by existing buildings.  In addition, a quarter of all carbon dioxide emissions across the world stem from residential, industrial, and commercial properties.  Reducing these levels is crucial for the continued health of the planet as well as the millions of species supported by the ecosystem.

Aesthetic as Well as Practical Principles

Green construction seeks to not only make buildings more efficient but also more beautiful, by designing and building them in harmony with the surrounding natural landscape.  The finished structure should not stand apart from the existing environment.  Rather it should blend into it as seamlessly as possible.

Green Construction Begins With Green Design

Also known as sustainable design, this is an architectural school of thought that looks at construction within the context of the surrounding environment and with an eye towards maximizing the use of local resources.  For example, constructing a steel skyscraper in a region far from iron ore deposits requires transporting materials thousands of miles using fossil fuels.  It also depends on extensive infrastructure systems that often intrude on ecological systems.  For these reasons, green building consultants may advocate alternative designs that can be constructed using indigenous resources.  In forested areas of the US, this may mean taking advantage of locally harvested lumber.  In more arid regions, it may entail the use of adobe, stone, or other products found or made close by.

It Begins And Ends With Efficiency

Environmental impact cannot be reduced unless natural resources are used in a way that gets the most “bang for the buck.”  In green building technology, this principle expresses itself in three ways:

1. Energy efficiency – This is accomplished by reducing air leakage through the building envelope, using high-performance windows, and adding extra insulation to the ceilings, floors, and walls.  Passive solar effects are also considered.  Windows, porches, decks, and awnings are oriented so that deciduous trees can help shade them during the summer while not interfering with the sun’s warming rays during winter.  Also, increased use of skylights and large windows can reduce the need to use artificial lighting sources during daylight hours.  Plumbing pipes can be exposed to the outside environment, to allow solar rays to help warm water used for washing and bathing.  Finally, generating power by such means as photovoltaic cells, windmills, local waterways, biomass, or geothermal resources can lessen or eliminate dependence on electrical utilities.

1. Materials efficiency – Green construction materials derive from renewable resources such as bamboo, straw, and lumber, recycled metal and stone, and in general, any products that are-nontoxic while being either renewable, recyclable, or reusable.  These can include adobe, clay, rammed earth, high-performance concrete, wood fibers, coconut, sisal, and cork.  In any event, the materials should be gathered as near to the building site as possible to avoid use of fossil fuels in delivering them.  They should also be manufactured locally for this same reason.

1. Water efficiency – One disastrous side effect of over-building and urban sprawl has been the depletion of local water resources in many parts of the United States.  For example, much of the population of the state of Georgia did not have access to running water for several months in the late 2000s, due to overuse and exhaustion of local aquifers.  To avoid these problems in the future, all local water resources should be used, including rainfall, which can be caught and stored in on-site storage containers for later use.  Purification issues can be dealt with by having local purification facilities.  The use of water should also be minimized, through the use of energy-efficient toilets, showers, and washing machines.  Recycling sewage and graywater can also help in this regard.

Improving Health and Quality of Life Indoors

Over the past three decades, a growing mountain of evidence has pointed out the health risks associated with many traditional building materials.  Lead-based paints, asbestos, and products containing formaldehyde are the best-known examples.  However, anything which contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can negatively impact indoor air quality (IAC).  To make the internal environment as healthy as possible, green building technologies employ these strategies:

1. Using filtered ventilation systems to remove microbes, VOCs, and other potentially harmful contaminants from the local atmosphere.  This approach, when combined with lessened use of toxic building materials, can make the air the occupants breathe as healthy as possible.
2. Excessive moisture in the air promotes the development of mold, mildew, bacteria, and viruses.  On the other hand, excessively dry air irritates nasal passages and exacerbates certain skin and other conditions.  Because of this, green construction involves regulating the humidity levels in the structure.
3. Maintaining the temperature at a comfortable level requires energy output.  However, this can be minimized by the incorporation of extra insulation and passive solar effects, as discussed previously.

Ongoing Maintenance and Building Use

Green building involves not only building design and construction, but also day-to-day maintenance and operations.  A key goal of sustainable construction is the reduction of waste products stemming from the activities conducted within the structure.  The importance of achieving this objective cannot be overstated.  In California, for example, commercial buildings are responsible for over 60% of the total waste products generated in the state.

The pathway to reducing this total includes such measures as recycling as many materials as possible, including the gathering of human waste for use in biomass energy creation projects.  The incorporation of reusable materials during the construction process also ensures that much of the structure can be remanufactured after its useful life ends.

The Payoff

It cannot be denied that, for the present at least, using green methods adds to the cost of construction.  However, over the additional investment more than pays for itself in environmental as well as financial benefits.  Studies show that, on average, sustainably-built structures offer a tenfold return on the investments put into them.  From both a monetary and environmental point of view, green building technologies just make good sense.

Burnham Nationwide Offers Sustainable Consulting Services

Sustainable design and construction are specialized fields that require input from experts to successfully implement.  That’s just the kind of guidance you’ll receive from Burnham Nationwide’s staff of green building consultants.  Let us show you how your construction project can be profitable environmentally as well as financially.  Contact us today.

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Christopher Chwedyk will be presenting on the topic “Green Governance Made Easier” at the 99^th Annual Conference of the The Illinois Municipal League, a taxpayer-funded lobbying association that advocates for stronger local government. The IML is one of 49 state municipal leagues that are part of the National League of Cities, representing more than 19,000 cities, villages, and towns. Members include

• Mayor and aldermen (or similar for cities),
• President and trustees (or similar for villages or incorporated towns), and
• Council members (for municipalities under a municipal government).

When: October 20th, 2:45PM

Location: Hilton Chicago Hotel, 720 South Michigan Ave, 312-922-4400

 Green best practices and sustainable outcomes can be driven by a combination of codes, standards and rating systems. This 1-hour session will serve as an introduction for all municipal leaders to the synergies and differences between the new International Green Construction Code (IgCC), ASHRAE Standard 189.1, and the LEED Rating Systems. See how these tactics can provide an easier compliance path for your communities green efforts.

For More Information and To Register Please Click Here:

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Thursday, October 18, 2012

 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Location: Chicago  Center for Green Technology, 445 N. Sacramento Blvd Chicago, Il 60612

Speaker: Christopher E. Chwedyk, CSI

This year, the International Code Council (ICC) has released the 2012 International Green Construction Code (IgCC), which also references the ASHRAE 189.1 – Standard for the Design of High Performance Green Buildings. The purpose of this code is to allow for the ‘overlay’ regulation of green building construction as part of an integrated approach with the building and fire codes. This seminar will trace the origins of the green codes, how they compare and differ from the rating systems that have been (and continue to be) used, and examine some of their main features. We will also discuss issues related to transitioning from a rating system, where enforcement was by third-party agencies, to a code that is enforced and inspected by building officials, and what that will mean for architects, engineers and specifiers in the preparation of construction documents.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand how the Green Codes were developed.
2. Identify the main features of the Green Codes.
3. How Green Codes differ from LEED and from Energy Codes.
4. Where and how Green Codes are currently being enforced.

Learn the recommended steps in transitioning to Green Codes

For more information and to register, please click here 

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When: 20 Sep 2012

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Location: 375 W. Briarcliff Road, Bolingbrook, IL 60440-0591

Join the USGBC – Illinois Chapter South Suburban and Fox Valley Branches for a roundtable program on understanding and implementing green codes and standards in your municipality!

This event has been approved for 4.0 GBCI CE and AIA CEU hours.

During this program, our speakers will set the stage for how best practices and sustainable outcomes can be driven by a combination of codes, standards and rating systems. This seminar will address synergies and differences between the International Green Construction Code, that includes ASHRAE Standard 189.1, and LEED Rating Systems. Following this overview, panelists will discuss challenges in and the implementation of green codes and standards in towns, villages and cities. In particular, panelists will address the following:

• Interplay between green construction codes and state and local law.
• What green construction code is right for my community or state?
• Green construction code decision making and implementation from start to finish.

After attending this program, attendees will:

• Understand the distinct and complementary roles of green codes, standards and rating systems and the roles each play.
• Identify the issues for considering and deciding on adopting a green construction code including challenges that may be faced and how to address those challenges.

Agenda:
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM - Networking and Continental Breakfast
8:30 AM – 9:50 AM - Green Codes Definition & Function – IGCC, ASHRAE 189.1 & LEED
10:00 AM – 10:20 AM - Case Study: Addressing Sustainability through Green Code in Will County.
10:20 AM – 11:30 AM – Green Code Planning: A Panel Discussion
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM - Facilitated Q&A

Presenters:

• Chris Chwedyk, Burnham Nationwide
• Allan Bilka, International Code Council
• Josh Greenfield, Primera Engineers, Ltd. / ASHRAEIllinois
• Stephen Grossmark, Tressler, LLP
• Helen Kessler, HJKessler Associates
• Sean Ziadeh, Turning Leaf Solutions, PLLC
• Curt Paddock, Director, Will County Land Use Department
• Raymond Semplinski, Chief Building Official, Will County Land Use Department

 For More Infomation and To Register, Please Click Here

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Deciding when you need LEED consulting services can often be tricky for builders or project managers. You can turn to a consultant for advice when you feel overwhelmed by the project’s demands, or ideally, you can turn to a consultant near the beginning of the process before any feelings of frustration or confusion surface.

The role of a LEED consultant, of course, can vary from project to project. They can step in to help with whichever aspects of the project that they are needed for. Essentially, their role is to align the environmental goals of the project with the budget of the project and to increase the health and safety of the facility’s indoor environment for the occupants, while also reducing the operation costs of the facility. However, the steps that the consultant takes to reach those goals can vary from project to project.

For instance, LEED consulting services can be valuable at the onset of the project to determine the target LEED scores or even to determine which LEED certifications the project should apply for. However, if the project manager is familiar with those steps and is comfortable taking them on his or her own, the consultant may not be needed until later in the project’s timeline. They can work with the owner or the design team to ensure that the project contains the required elements and that it will be compliant with the LEED standards. Many project managers find the paperwork of the certification process to be the most onerous. If that describes you, you may wish to have a LEED consultant heavily involved in gathering the correct documentation and doing the right calculations, as well as drafting and submitting the documents to the USGBC.

Earning LEED certification has a number of merits that are both financial and environmental. However, when the entire process is slowed down because of a missing document or a small design inconsistency that can cause the project to take longer to complete and incur more costs. By hiring quality LEED consulting services as soon as they feel that they need them, project managers can avoid these eventualities and keep their project on target and within budget.

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Solar panel technologies offer the potential to generate enormous amounts of power while being environmentally friendly.  However, they have faced a number of barriers to widespread acceptance, due to efficiency and other limitations.  That’s why recent news from MIT researchers is so exciting.  They have developed a way to use three-dimensional design techniques to increase solar panel output by as much as 20 times that of traditional flat arrays.

Rooftop panels are limited in how much power they collect by the location of the sun.  When it’s directly overhead, they are very effective, but this diminishes in the mornings and evenings.  The collection amount is also reduced in winter and in areas far from the equator.

Aware of this, the MIT researchers set out to determine the ideal shape for panels.  They tested a number of configurations in a variety of latitudes, weather conditions, and seasons of the year, using a computer algorithm.  After that, they settled on three designs, which they built models of and installed on the roof of the MIT lab building.

The solar cell arrays out-performed traditional flat panels, creating anywhere from two to 20 times the amount of electricity.  The power output was also more consistent over time, even after the effects of clouds and shadows were taken into account.

Each of the designs is accordion-shaped and is meant to be vertically mounted on rooftops.  According to Jeffrey Grossman, the study’s senior author, they could also be installed on parking garages to provide power for vehicles that run on electricity.

Solar energy has long been touted as an answer to the world’s energy needs, but several limitations have prevented its widespread adoption.  One of these is the cost of manufacture versus the amount of energy produced by these solar panel technologies.

“Even 10 years ago, this idea wouldn’t have been economically justified because the modules cost so much,” said Grossman in a recent interview.  However, these costs have been falling in recent years, leading him and his colleagues to believe that now is an ideal time to explore new types of panels.

At Burnham Nationwide, we know solar panels and the ins and outs of installation, efficiency, and much more. Contact us today to learn how we can help you!

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The degree of solar panel maintenance is directly correlated to the region of the country in which one lives. If you live in an area accustomed to snow, you can pretty much expect a higher degree of maintenance, but short of that, solar panel maintenance requires rather minimal effort.

Why is solar panel maintenance so minimal a task? Three words: No moving parts. The first clue to solar panels’ inherent low maintenance needs lies in the life of their warranties—most coming with 25- to 30-year manufacturers’ performance guarantees. The only moving part involved in a solar array is the pump; so, if anything, that might be the main focus of attention.

Early versions of solar panels had somewhat fragile surfaces, which heightened the need for maintenance. However, today’s versions feature practically indestructible surfaces. Despite this virtual indestructibility, solar panels are not immune to getting dirty. So removal of grime—dirt, soot, pollen, dust, bird droppings, leaves, and the like—represents the biggest single area of solar panel maintenance. In some regions of the country where pollen is prevalent, homeowners and business owners who have outfitted their buildings with a solar panel array report big accumulations when pollen particles start to bond. For this reason, pollen—a fine or coarse powder derived from seed plants—poses a major maintenance menace. Other parts of the country are dustier, and while dust may seem benign, its accumulation can negatively impact energy output.

As a result, it is recommended to clean panels at least twice a year, perhaps in March or April after the end of the rainy season and again in August or September toward summer’s end. Such upkeep is a key consideration, as dirty panels tend to lose up to 15 percent of their output versus those that are kept clean.

You can take the hose to them with a moderate stream, using a gentle brush if needed to clean major grime or dirty accumulation. If you live in an area of hard water on tap, you might consider cleaning solar panel surfaces with bottled water to avoid the residue sometimes associated with some tap water.

It’s not advisable to use strong detergents in cleaning solar panels. It’s best to use soapy water containing a mild solvent that can then be hosed off gently.  Just because panels are all but indestructible doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be gentle with them!

As with any technology, malfunctions might also occur with solar panels. It’s a good idea to monitor power output regularly to discern if there are any variations that might alert to malfunction. Check your solar inverter’s display to keep an eye on such variances, monitoring consistently on each month or with an even greater rate of frequency.   In doing so, you arrive at a baseline as it relates to energy provision and can more easily spot any deficiencies.

The only other area of solar panel maintenance revolves more around their surroundings rather than the panels themselves. To avoid pollen accumulation and obstruction from falling leaves, it’s good to always keep an eye on tree limbs that may stretch onto the vicinity of a solar panel array.

In short, solar panel maintenance requires little effort that building owners can easily accomplish themselves with minimal physical exertion. If this still poses a challenge, however, cleaning companies often include solar panel maintenance as part of their services.

As the trend toward sustainability grows, we have detected a growing number of clients intent on environmentally conscious design. As a result of this, Burnham increasingly advises clients on such matters. If you need more information on solar panel maintenance or related matters, feel free to contact us toll free at 800-407-7990. You can also find us on Facebook where we encourage you to hit our “like” button!

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One of the best ways you can lower your energy bills while conserving power is by making sure your home is adequately insulated.  The fact is, most homes 10 years or older could benefit from added insulation.  Unfortunately, most insulating products on the market contain formaldehyde or other Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).  This makes the use of eco-friendly insulation a wise choice for both new and existing buildings.

Why are VOCs so harmful?  Basically, it has to do with their low boiling point.  For example, formaldehyde boils at -2 °F (-19 °C).  This causes VOCs to vaporize at room temperatures and enter the air we breathe, at a slow but constant rate.  Over extended periods of time, breathing VOCs can cause health issues ranging from irritated sinuses to increased cancer risks.

EPA studies have found that indoor air often contains anywhere from two to five times as much VOCs as outdoor air.  In some settings, such as industrial sites, the concentrations can be as much as 1000 times greater than outside.  Additionally, VOCs contribute to global warming by releasing greenhouse gases.  Human activities cause over 143 teragrams of carbon to leech into the atmosphere each year, from substances like conventional insulation.

The good news is that there are eco-friendly insulation alternatives available.  Here’s a look at five of them:

1. Recycled denim – Americans throw away millions of pairs of old jeans every year.  This is unfortunate, since they could easily be converted into an excellent form of insulation.  Companies that do this clean, strip, and treat the material with boric acid to discourage mold and insects.  The resulting product is bound into rolls of insulating material that can easily be installed between floor, wall, and ceiling joists.  It takes less energy to create than traditional forms of insulation and emits no VOCs.  Also, it can be found in home improvements stores in every region of the country.

1. Sheep wool – It has been keeping the animals that make it warm for thousands of years and has been doing the same for humans for centuries.  While it has traditionally been used for clothing items such as scarves and coats, it is now available for both home and business use as an outstanding insulation material. It is free of the irritants that come in conventional insulation, extinguishes itself in case of fire, maintains its heat-retaining properties even when wet, and is completely renewable.

1. Straw bales – Imagine having an eco-friendly insulation that costs nothing to make and is amazingly energy efficient.  Well, it exists and chances are you’ve seen it, if you’ve ever visited rural areas during harvest season.  It’s straw, and when combined with plaster interior walls, it’s both safe and extremely effective at forming a heat barrier in walls.

In recent years it has enjoyed popularity among fans of alternative house building methods, but look for it to become more mainstream going forward.

1. Cellulose (recycled paper) – We’re about two decades into the “paper-free” era predicted by futurists, and there is still plenty of printed reading material everywhere you look.  Recycling it has long been a practice of environmentally concerned persons and companies.  However, now it’s being used to keep us warm in the winter and cool in the summer.  Waste paper is shredded, mixed with boric acid, and sprayed into walls, floors, and ceilings.  It costs only a tenth of the cost of traditional insulators to produce, doesn’t corrode pipes or other fixtures, and is 100% recyclable.

1. Soy-based foams – Spray foams are an outstanding choice for insulation, but most of them contain dangerous chemicals.  Fortunately, there is now an eco-friendly alternative.  Based on soy products, it expands to 100 times its compressed size and can fill both huge spaces and tiny cracks.  It’s inexpensive to produce and contains no harmful compounds.

As you know, LEED certification is the accepted standard for environmentally friendly construction.  If you’re planning a building project and want to ensure that it meets the standards of the U.S. Green Building Council, then let us know.  We’ll be happy to use our expertise to help and support you during every step of the process, ensuring that the finished result stands out as an excellent example of eco-friendly development.

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Everyone knows tax day is April 15, but a lot of us forget that Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22. First celebrated in 1970, the day was set aside to raise environmental awareness and promote appreciation for our planet. When it comes to ensuring eco-friendly building, the effort should not be viewed as taxing, but as a way to not only contribute to our planet’s viability but also to realize economic savings by incorporating energy-efficient standards.

There are several ways building owners can boast of having eco-friendly buildings. Here are just a few simple steps that can be taken toward that end:

• Installing skylights in a building enables a property owner to illuminate the interior, free of charge, thanks to Mother Nature! Given today’s heightened environmental consciousness, building owners have no shortage of available skylight installers. Not only do skylights save on energy bills, but also they offer an elegant element to any building.

• Solar panels are another tested element toward eco-friendly building. Initially, the cost of solar panels was cost-prohibitive. However, advances in the technology have helped prices go down. Moreover, many utilities offer rebates as powerful incentives toward the development of eco-friendly projects. Many property owners with solar panels end up selling surplus energy to the utility where their eco-friendly buildings are located. Short of selling the excess to a utility, it can also be stored for later use by transferring it to a battery. Granted, there is an initial investment requirement but the dividends will pay off big time in the long run.

• Low-wattage light bulbs are an often overlooked, yet simple, step that can be taken to achieve eco-friendliness. These bulbs are the “pigtail” variety and can be deceptive, given that they are brighter than conventional bulbs. However, don’t be deceived; they are exponentially more energy efficient that old-school light bulbs. As an added plus, these bulbs require no special adaptations and can plug into any socket.

• The bathroom is one of the last places some might expect to target in trying to achieve eco-friendly building, but the toilet consumes quite a bit of water. Due to this, it’s advisable to secure a low-flow toilet device to cut on water bills. These easy-to-install devices—available at any building supplies store—ensure that a toilet uses considerably less water without compromising water flow. This simple step can help you save not only water but also money on your water bill each month.

• Motion sensors designed to turn off a light bulb automatically are another element found in many eco-friendly buildings. The timers on these devices will automatically shut off light bulbs either indoors or outdoors if you happen to forget to shut them off yourself. Building owners sometimes don’t count the cost of wasted electricity but believe us—it can be quite considerable.

As part of their professional acumen, the staff of Burnham Nationwide is well-versed on the range of energy-efficient methods and practices. We see the heightened interest in eco-friendly building as advantageous to our clients because of the real savings that can be achieved.

Having a so-called “green building” is an ever-increasing goal of many—a source of pride in their communities and a way of achieving financial and energy savings. Achieving green status requires cooperation from all construction players—the architect, the design team, engineers, and the client. You can count on having a reliable partner in Burnham Nationwide for development of your own green building.

For additional insight and guidance on achieving eco-friendly buildings, please contact us through our website at burnhamnationwide.com or by calling us toll-free at (800) 407-7990.

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