Green Choices: Do your bit for the planet every day

By J.C. Carroll

Green is a cool concept in construction. All over North America, both residential and commercial builders are winning recognition and applause for taking their environmental responsibilities so seriously.

For example, concrete is replacing traditional wood framing with a system spearheaded by award winning, Nudura.

This wall building system of pre-assembled, Lego-like blocks, cuts down construction time significantly, creates less waste material, and it virtually eliminates mold, mildew and other toxic emissions produced by buildings structured with wood. Homeowners save money due to durability and energy efficiency -- and the resulting structure is reported to be up to nine times stronger, with far more fire protection, far more sound insulation, and with a potential to reduce energy costs of up to 70 percent. See www.nudura.com.

"But while owning a low-impact, high performance home with superior walls is good, it will only be as green as the energy efficient products you put inside," says company spokesman, Todd Blyth. "Upgrading for quality is always popular, but it's during the initial building stage that you should consider products that can't easily be changed."

Here's a handy checklist of options on this topic, courtesy of Nudura:

* Radiant Floor Heating: This is a method of heating your home by applying heat underneath or within the floor. Comparable to warming yourself in the sun, it warms objects as opposed to raising the temperature of the air. The warmest air is at the floor where it is desired (not at the ceiling) and there is reduced heat loss through the ceiling and walls.

* High Efficiency Furnace: Heating uses a significant amount of a home's energy, from 40% to 60% depending on the system. Options to reduce heating costs and increase comfort include a high-efficiency furnace (or a hybrid furnace, which combines space and water heating) plus in-floor radiant heating and "heating zone" controls. No matter which system is chosen, the controls such as programmable thermostats with multiple set-back modes and other features, can help to maximize your heating dollars.

* Energy efficient windows: Generally, double-glazed windows are standard in today's new homes. But homebuyers have a wide range of options for energy improvements. Common upgrades include: low-E coating on the glass; inert gas fill between glass layers; insulating spacers to keep the glass layers apart, all of which are designed to reduce the transfer of heat from the warmest to the coldest parts of the window. This also reduces window condensation and makes homes more comfortable. Other options include additional glass layers and improved frame design.