GO GREEN

In today’s world with growing concerns about greenhouse gasses and rising energy costs, building green makes sense. It makes sense to help protect the environment for future generations, it makes sense because it increases production and efficiency from those using the facility, and it makes cents because green design saves money on basic utility costs.

But mostly, it’s just common sense, said Charlie Popeck, an accredited LEED professional who addressed designers and others working in home-related industries during this month’s First Fridays seminar at the Las Vegas Design Center.

Green building saves energy and natural resources while creating a healthier environment and improving productivity, he said.

Popeck is president of Green Ideas Environmental Business Consultants and was one of the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design accredited professionals in Arizona. Started in 1999, his Phoenix, Ariz.-based firm works with building owners, architects, engineers, contractors, developers, interior designers and green product manufacturers to construct and remodel green businesses and homes.

“Green building uses design and construction practices that reduce bad things to the environment. LEED measures the degree.”

LEED certification works on a point system, with points awarded for various aspects of the design and construction that reduce energy and water use, reduce toxic elements and incorporate recycled materials. It is monitored by the U.S. Green Building Council, an independent nonprofit organization.

According to Popeck, in order for green methods to work effectively and efficiently, the entire building must be fully integrated so that all aspects of the design work together. If possible, green principles should be incorporated from the very start.

In fact, site planning is one of the areas considered for LEED certification. Popeck said points are awarded based on the facility’s location in relation to mass transit and use of natural sunlight.

Popeck said the added costs of building green are virtually nonexistent. Using a 2,000-square-foot home as an example, he said only $3,000 in additional costs were incurred when building the house to LEED-certification standards. The green building practices resulted in $1,116 a year in energy savings, paying back the additional costs in 2.7 years.

“You can’t just focus on first costs, you have to look at what you are giving back,” he said, noting that a recent survey revealed that 71 percent of company CEOs would be willing to sacrifice short-term profit for long-term shareholder value.

As an example, he said a green project at Arizona State University resulted in 35 percent savings in energy costs, 93 percent savings in use of potable water and 80 percent of construction waste diverted from the landfill. A Silver certified project at the Phoenix Convention Center yielded 25 percent savings in energy costs, 43 percent savings in use of potable water and 90 percent of construction waste diverted from the landfill.

Because of all the savings, green building practices are gaining momentum across the nation. Popeck said that on Jan. 1, 2005, there were only 167 LEED-certified buildings and 1,751 LEED-registered projects in the United States. As of September, those numbers rose to 1,004 and 7,843, respectively. The difference between certified and registered is the level of completion. Popeck said certified buildings are completely constructed and fully tested to record savings, while registered projects are under construction and haven’t been tested for certification yet.

Popeck will teach a course Thursday at the World Market Center to help interested individuals prepare for the LEED for New Construction exam. The fee for the course is $425. For additional information, contact Amy Stephens at 602-512-0584 or e-mail education@Egreen ideas.com.

More information about the LEED program can be obtained at usgbc.org.