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How Green Can We Get?

Submitted by admin_green on Mon, 09/14/2009 - 14:26

This is also going to take a LOT of work.

While Fritz has been involved with green energy technology for many years, there are many aspects of green building and green living about which we are complete newbies. We're going to have to change that fast.

As we've begun working up the task lists and decision trees that will form the backbone for managing this project, we are realizing more and more the astonishing, and even intimidating, breadth of development in green technologies and sustainable practices. I'm sure that many people look to build and redevelop following responsible practices are daunted by the range of choices. We hope that, by the time we're done, we'll have helped you familiarize yourselves with as many of them as possible.

We are looking forward to getting a lot of input as we progress. Look to this page as the lists below turn into links to more information, as we begin to tackle the decisions that lie ahead.

Technologies and practices we will consider, and try to include, in the development of the Inn.

Here goes. If you know about something which we have left off this list, let us know about it.

Green/Renewable Energy Sources

  • Biomass boilers
  • CHP (Combined Heat and Power) Systems
  • Geothermal ground source heat pump - heat, air conditioning and hot water
  • Solar photovoltaic - roof mounted
  • Solar photovoltaic – pole mounted dual axis tracker
  • Solar thermal – concentrating
  • Solar thermal – flat plate
  • Solar thermal –  evacuated tube
  • Wind turbine
  • Wood gasifying boiler

Energy Conservation

  • Absorption chiller run with hot water from other renewable source
  • Daylighting
  • Demand Response energy management system
  • Energy Star rated appliances
  • Heat recovery on exhaust systems
  • LED and efficient lighting
  • Masonry heater
  • Occupancy sensors for lights and HVAC.
  • Semi-automatic lighting controls
  • Solar chimney
  • Sun shading

Water and Resource Conservation

  • Bioretention system for storm water treatment and management
  • Dual flush toilets
  • Green roof
  • Gray water recapture and reuse
  • Gray water toilets
  • Low-flow fixtures
  • Permeable paving systems
  • Porous parking material
  • Rain gardens
  • Rainwater capture - above ground and below
  • Tankless water heaters
  • Waste recycling
  • Wastewater treatment to tertiary standards on-site
  • Water retaining landscaping
  • Water sense irrigation for gardens and lawn

Green Building Practices

  • Construction storm water management
  • Local and native plantings
  • Locally produced construction materials
  • Minimizing and recycling construction waste
  • Minimizing site disturbance
  • Reuse of existing structures

Green Building Materials

  • Bamboo flooring and wall materials
  • Certified wood
  • High content of pre and post consumer recycled products
  • High performance glazing systems
  • Insulated basement construction
  • Low VOC materials (adhesives, sealants, paints, fabrics, etc)
  • Metal roof
  • R-26 wall systems
  • R-50 roof systems
  • Recycled brick
  • Recycled glass tiles
  • SIPS wall and roof panels

Green Experience and Learning

  • Conference center
  • E-commerce site for featured products
  • Experience and Learning
  • Exterior light pollution reduction
  • Individual temperature control
  • Interactive displays
  • Natural views
  • Ozone air purifiers
  • Ozone generator for laundry applications
  • Roof gardens
  • Walking trails with interpretive signage
  • Web-based tracking of house systems

Green Lifestyle Incentives

  • Preferred parking for van-pools/car-pools and fuel efficient vehicles

High hopes, indeed. We'll see how we do.p>