Using "Green", low VOC paint to improve air quality

A client asked me this week about using "green" paint for her renovation project. Because this is an easy way for any person to make a difference in reducing their carbon footprint, it begs a brief overview.

Many paints are made with a high percentage of volatile organic compounds or "VOCs". These compounds help the paint dry faster. However, they are also a major contributor to smog and ozone problems. VOC paint fumes can cause headaches and respiratory problems - particularly in children or elderly people. High concentrations of VOCs can cause chronic and acute health effects. Some VOCs are known carcinogens.

Low or Zero VOC paints are available and can be used for most indoor and some outdoor applications. They emit fewer fumes. With any painting project remove all soft materials from the area such as pillows, blankets and etc. Softer materials can absorb the fumes and release them into the air later on.

What about the cost? Well, zero VOC paints are the best and can run about $30.00 per gallon. Low VOC paints run comparable to regular paint and while they are not as good as the zero product, they are still a big environmental improvement over standard paint. There is also no need to sacrifice on color. Many specialty paint stores offer all the same colors in Low / Zero VOC alternatives. Both Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams offer a great selection of "green" paint.

If you are considering a painting project, do your research on the paint. Your family with thank you!

U OF I TO GET ALL GREEN DORMITORY

We are proud to publicize that a $23 million residence hall under construction in Champaign will be the first at the University of Illinois to be certifiably green.

The eco-friendly features of the 262-bed Presby Hall include a geothermal system to heat rooms and water, water-saving plumbing as well as environmentally friendly lighting and paint.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony of the building expected to be the first U of I residence hall to receive certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, is planned for this summer.

The Champaign-based McKinley Presbyterian Church and Foundation, which owns the property, took the initiative in pushing for a green hall, the private foundation’s director said.

“We wanted to be responsible. We wanted the building to be sustainable,” said Heidi Weatherford.

Three are construction challenges; one is the installation of the pricey $650k heating system which will use ground source pumps to keep the building warm. To install pumps and may miles of tubing some old trees along a nearby street must come down, though new trees will be planted to replace them.

Weatherford said while the geothermal system is expensive the costs will be recouped by the $40,000 in annual savings.

“The upfront costs are significant,” she said “But the financial payback is almost immediate.” Factoring in the energy savings, Weatherford said, the heating system could pay for itself in about 10 years.

The Illinois Clean Energy Foundation recently awarded the foundation $100,000 to help pay for Presby Hal’s green features.

The university has said it plans a major renovation of a cluster of its residence halls called Six Pack, saying it hopes that project also will get the green certification.

CENTER FOR GREEN TECHNOLOGY

Center for Green Technology

The City of Chicago for Green Technology (CCGT) has been educating the public and building professionals alike about green buildings sustainable design since it open in May 2002. Managed by the Department of Environment CCGT offers nearly 400 free public seminars two or three times a week the building and campus at 4445 N Sacramento Blvd, are open six day a week guided and self-guided tours. Housed on a 17-acres sire that was once a construction and demolition scrap yard, the Center’s 40,000sqft building was one of the first to receive the highest award (Platinum) of the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification program. Its significant green features include solar panels, rainwater collection irrigation, recycled building materials, smart lighting, a vegetated roof, and a geothermal exchange system. Also located on the site are WRD Environmental a sustainable landscaping company, Greencorps Chicago, the city’s community gardening and job training program and Whitney Wood Works, a sustainable wood and cabinet company.

Green Permit Program

The City of Chicago Green Permit Program, administered by the Department of Buildings, allows building projects form single-family home to high-rise office building to qualify for fast permit approvals by meeting certain green guidelines. It takes an average six weeks to obtain approval for a green permit while traditional permits can take 12 or more weeks to be approved.

Through September 2007, the City had issued a total of 158 green permits. For smaller projects, such as single-family homes the Green Permit process can also be helpful in guiding the owner to other City departments for technical services. Projects qualifying for green permits fall into one of three tiers. Each tier require a certain level of certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating program, plus one or more “extras” from a menu administered by the Department of Buildings. Some or all consultant review fees may be reimbursed for Tier II or Tier III projects.

If you are interested in utilizing the program visit www.cityofchicago.org/buildings.

Plan for green permitting early in the design of your project.

Focus on team coordination-the designer, contractor, subcontractors, and other who will be involved in the project.

Chicago Green Homes Program

Chicago Green Homes is a voluntary program managed by the City of Chicago, to encourage the building of healthy and environmentally responsible single-family and multi-family homes in the city. Both newly constructed and renovated homes are eligible.

To participate start by downloading the Chicago Green Homes Programs Guide and the Chicago Green Homes Checklist from the Department of Environments website at www.cityofchicago.com/enviroment. These documents provide details regarding the materials and procedures needed to build a green home.

The Green Homes Program is modeled on the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Homes national certification program but, is specific to Chicago. Like LEED, Green Homes uses a point system. Specific green features may earn a certain number of points in the following categories sustainable sites, energy efficiency materials, health and safety, resource conservation, homeowner education, and innovation. Based on the number of points earned, homes can achieve a one, two or three star rating.

Approved projects will receive a Chicago Green Homes Certificate. Certified Green Homes will also be recognized on the City of Chicago website. Homes in the program may also be eligible for an expedited Green Permit from the Department of Buildings. The Chicago Green Homes Program is partnership of the Departments of Housing, Buildings and Environment. For information visit www.cityofchicago.com/enviroment