30 things you can do to make your commercial building Earth Friendly
How do you start? How do you create a commercial building that is sustainable? Here are 30 things you can do to make your commercial building Earth Friendly. Click the links and learn more.
- Upgrade the fiberglass insulation to foam
- If you cannot afford better insulation – make the building air tight as a minimum
- Install a solar thermal system to produce hot water
- Add more insulation in the attic
- integrate pre-heated warm air into the HVAC system
- Add natural light where you can
- Use the floor as mass storage by installing dark tile or leaving concrete exposed and adjust overhangs to allow sunlight in the winter and shading in the summer
- install a better water heater
- install a light-colored roof
- look at USDA grants, “solar barn raising”, or federal tax credit options for adding solar PV
- Move the HVAC systems in the attic inside of conditioned spaces instead of outside the thermal envelope
- install better windows
- install operable windows so you can breathe fresh air
- insulate under entire slab
- select energy star appliances
- install motion sensors on lights in restrooms and sleeping rooms
- install motion sensor on bath fans with a timer
- select products that are no voc
- install a rainscreen behind siding to prevent moisture in walls
- Keep plants away from exterior walls and HVAC equipment
- collect rainwater in a cistern
- Advocate for measuring the Energy Use Intensity to know how efficient the building will be
- Check the comprehensive plan for your community to see if they say anything like “we will have an environmental performance standard”
- make it easy for someone to bike to work by installing bike racks
- understand carbon
- reduce stormwater runoff
- install a vegetated roof
- install water conserving fixtures
- require a duct leakage test on the ductwork after installation
- set up a recycling center in the facility so product does not go to the landfill – if it is not easy people will not do it
