It Doesn’t Have to be Exotic to be Green
“Use overhangs to shade windows on the east, south and especially the west from the sun” is an example of a basic design element that Peter Pfeiffer recommended in his article “Design the crucial factor in effective Green Building,” published in the April 16 issue of Nation’s Building News, NAHB’s online newspaper.
The article was based on a presentation Pfeiffer, of Barley & Pfeifer Architects in Austin, Texas, gave at a NAHB National Green Building Conference.
“This is not about bamboo floors and geo-thermal heat pumps,” Pfeiffer said as he told home builders to consider basic designs – “many of which have been around for ages.”
The following appeared on his long list of ways to improve indoor energy efficiency and comfort.
“Use overhangs to shade windows on the east, south and especially the west from the sun. Double-pane “low-E” windows are not a substitute for proper shading and solar control.
“Available through Ball State University’s Center for Energy Research, Education and Service, the Sun Angle Calculator enables builders to determine what size overhang they need.
“Overhangs help keep the sun off of paint jobs, and keep windows cleaner because they don’t get wet during rainstorms. “Houses with small overhangs don’t last,” he said. “Doors and windows will last four times longer when water is kept off of them.”
To read the article and see the entire list, vist www.nbnnews.com.
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