Green Building
What is Green Building?
Green building is a "Whole-Systems" approach for designing and constructing buildings that conserve energy, water, and material resources and are healthier, safer, and more comfortable.
In practical terms, green building includes:
- Using sun and wind to the building's advantage for natural heating, cooling, and daylighting;
- Landscaping with native plants and using water efficiently;
- Building quality, durable structures;
- Insulating well and ventilating appropriately;
- Incorporating salvaged, recycled,and sustainably harvested materials;
- Maintaining healthy indoor air quality with appropriate building techniques, and materials;
- Using energy-efficient and water-saving appliances/fixtures; and
- Reducing and recycling construction waste.
Resources
Scroll through the links below for resources related to Green Building
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Ask An Expert
Build it Green provides FREE practical, unbiased, quality green building information for anyone with green building questions in the bay area.Online submission form or call 1-888-40-GREEN
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Build it Green
Find a listing of certified green architects & building contractors Search the Materials DatabaseEducational & networking opportunities for public agencies, non-profits & building professionals.
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PG&E Residential Rebate Program
Rebates, Savings, and Resources to reduce residential energy usage
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East Bay Municipal Utility District
Resources to reduce water consumptionRebates for water saving appliances, toilets, and landscaping for rate payers
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Contra Costa Water District
Resources to reduce water consumptionRebates for water saving appliances, toilets, and landscaping for rate payers
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Green Affordable Housing Coalition
Green building resources, case studies, fact sheet related to developing Green affordable housing
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Build Green Now
Green Building Resources, Green Building Guidelines for renovations, Green Building Guidelines for New Construction
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United States Green Building Council (USGBC)
Extensive collection of green building resources: Market research, publications, presentations, and LEED Rating System information
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Energy Star
Resources on energy efficient building, appliances, and equipment. Energy Star appliances and building strategies may qualify for rebates
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Go Solar California!
Solar 101 information, case studies, CASH BACK for solar on your home, Listing of registered Photovoltaic retailers, listing of certified PV equipment
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DOE Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Building Technologies
Tools, guidelines, training, and access to technical and financial resources. DOE supports R&D activities to improve the energy efficiency of buildings
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Water Saver Home
Water Saver Home is a virtual encyclopedia of water saving tips for indoor & outdoor uses
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U.S. EPA Indoor Air Quality
Extensive info & resources on how to use water more efficiently from homeowners to governments Extensive info & resources on indoor air quality (IAQ), hotline to help locate info is 1-800-438-4318
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Health House
For Consumers: info on IAQ concerns & tip sheets to help identify & reduce pollutants in the home. For Builders: guidelines & Registered House Builder training for building homes with better IAQ
Green Building Materials
The Green Building Material Resource List (PDF) provides names of the manufacturer of each product in the Display as well as their phone numbers, website (when available), and contact information for some local distributors.
Search Build it Green's Green Product Directory & Database to conveniently locate suppliers of green building products within the Bay Area. Their Directory may be searched based on ZIP codes, Product Category, Keyword, or by measures referenced in various Green Building Guidelines or Bay-Friendly Gardening Guidelines.
The Green Building Materials Display was custom built to promote the use of sustainable building materials. The Display is usually located in the Application and Permit Center at 30 Muir Road, in Martinez. The following provides examples of materials, their features, and uses.
Display of these samples should not be construed as an endorsement of any specific product by Contra Costa County or as a recommendation to use one product instead of another. Information regarding the samples included in this display was obtained from the manufacturers and has not been verified
Insulation
Decking
Boards & Panels
- Hardieplank®
- Environ® Biocomposite
- Fiberock® Underlayment
- EcoColorsTM
- VariaTM
- Origins®
- BiofiberTM
- Medex® MDF
- Dakota Burl®
Paints, Stain, & Finishes
Foundation
Engineered Wood
FSC Certified Wood
Sheathing
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Recycling Hotline
Phone: 800-750-4096
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Conservation Programs - Waste, Recycling & Climate
Physical Address
30 Muir Road
Martinez, CA 94553
Phone: 925-674-7203
Build It Green Guidelines and GreenPoint Rating
New Construction
Green Building Guidelines (PDF) (4.4 MB)
GreenPoint Checklist (Single Family; PC Version Excel/xls file)
GreenPoint Checklist (Multifamily; PC Version Excel/slx file)
Home Remodeling
Green Building Guidelines
GreenPoint Checklist
(Excel - XLS file)
Contact GreenPoint Rated:
website
Phone: (510) 845-0472