RE: GBlist: green building and energy efficiency

[Gormans <sgorman@erols.com>]

The cheapest efficiency measure would be to require the same standards in 
house siting that were common practice in the United States in the 1800's: 
80% of all construction had the major part of the building facing due 
south.  This alone reduces at least 15%  of the heating and cooling costs, 
and it costs close to nothing. Add to that some decent insulation and 
infiltration standards, and your energy costs will be much lower.

However, I know of no city or MSA that is smart enought to require this.

Steve Gorman
Virginia Solar Council

-----Original Message-----
From:	Martha Arosemena [SMTP:MarthaA@austin.rr.com]
Sent:	Tuesday, January 30, 2001 6:47 AM
To:	greenbuilding@crest.org
Subject:	GBlist: green building and energy efficiency

Hi!  I am a graduate student in the University of Texas' Community and
Regional Planning program and am working on a professional report 
concerning
the feasibility of incorporating green building codes and/or energy
efficiency measures into the Houston CMSA State Implementation Plan (SIP).

I have a couple of questions that I'm hoping that this group might be able
to provide some general answers/leads for additional information:

1. What do you feel are the top 5 or 10 easiest/most likely to be accepted
green building/energy efficiency measures that a city or MSA could require?

2. Do you know of any cities or areas that have done this?  Which ones?

3. What do you feel are the biggest barriers to requiring this and what
would be some ways to remove those barriers?

I know these are rather broad questions - any comments and/or leads would 
be
much appreciated!

Thanks!

Martha Arosemena
marthaa@austin.rr.com
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______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
This greenbuilding dialogue is sponsored by CREST <www.crest.org>
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For  instructions send  e-mail to  greenbuilding-request@crest.org.
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