Simple Ideas for Commercial Green Building 

Exterior Construction: (www.energy.gov)

1) Site (www.epa.gov): 

Have you thought about...

• Shading for parking spaces?
• Recycling construction waste material? (www.azrecycling.com)
• Donating scrap materials?

2) Roof Products (www.greenroofs.com): 

Have you thought about...

• Energy Star roof components? (www.energystar.gov)
• Cool Roof Rating Council? (www.coolroofs.org)
• Roof drains terminating in landscape areas?

3) Renewable Energy (www.nrel.gov): 

Have you thought about...

• Solar powered site lighting? (www.solarlightcenter.com)
• Conduit and plumbing for future PV and thermal hot water systems? (www.energysavers.gov)

4) Controllability of System Lighting (www.wbdg.org): 

Have you thought about...

• Timers and photocell for exterior sign illumination?

5) Thermal Envelope (www.builditgreen.org): 

Have you thought about...

• Exterior shading or screens?
• High levels of insulation?
• High-performance windows?
• Reuse of construction materials?

Interior Construction: (www.buildinggreen.com) 

1) Indoor water use reduction (www.epa.gov) 

Have you thought about...

• Automatic closing faucets?
• Waterless urinals?
• Point of use tankless water heaters?

2) Waste Management (www.sbrd.net) 

Have you thought about...

• Recycle containers for all occupants?
• Dedicated area for collection/storage or recyclables?
• Reuse of construction materials?

3) Wood Products (www.corrim.org) 

Have you thought about...

• Solid sawn lumber substitutes for structural elements?

4) Air Quality (www.envirosense.org) 

Have you thought about...

• Air filters min. MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) rating of 8?

5) Low-Emitting Materials (www.saveprogram.icc-es.org) 

Have you thought about...

• Adhesive maximum Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) rating – 150 grams/liter?
• Sealants/primers maximum VOC rating – 250 grams/liter?
• Electrical panels at least 10 feet away from occupancy? (www.sbicouncil.org)

6) Controllability of System Lighting (www.wbdg.org) 

Have you thought about...

• Individual lighting controls?
• Motion sensor lighting controls?

7) Green Suppression (www.nfpa.org) 

Have you thought about...

• Fire sprinklers?

For more information on Green Building, please call 623-773-7225.