FAQs • Whatcom County, WA • CivicEngage

What is a net-zero building?: A net-zero building or zero-energy building (ZEB) is one that produces as much energy on-site as it uses. In theory such a building would not be connected to any outside utilities such as electric or natural gas. All energy needs for heating, cooling, and lighting would be generated from within. However, a net-zero building could be connected to the electrical grid and use power from the grid at peak energy times but return an equal amount during off-peak hours.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is sponsoring the Net-Zero Energy Commercial Building Initiative. The goal is to achieve marketable net-zero energy commercial buildings by 2025. Refer to their website to learn more about this exciting challenge.Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

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Planning & Development Services - Green Building

1. Doesn’t green building just add more costs?: Yes, often the initial construction costs of building green are more expensive but long-term costs are typically reduced. Building Green Costs

2. I want to start building green, where can I start?: To get started building green, visit our Getting Started page. Getting Started

3. If I paint my building green, does that qualify as green building?: Actually it can be that simple! If the paint itself is a nontoxic or low-toxic paint of which there are 3 types - natural paints, zero volatile organic compound (VOC), and low VOC.

Paints, stains, and other architectural coatings are the 2nd-largest source of VOC emissions after automobiles. Therefore simply by using a “green” paint you’re improving the air quality for the painter, the owner, and the Earth.

Note: Even zero-VOC formulations contain some amounts of toxins.

4. What are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and why should I avoid such products?: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are carbon compounds that evaporate at room temperature and react in sunlight to help form ground-level ozone, an integral component of photochemical smog.

VOCs can cause respiratory, skin and eye irritation; headaches; nausea; muscle weakness; and more serious ailments and diseases, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Formaldehyde, a VOC commonly found in paint, is a probable carcinogen.

The EPA has found that indoor concentrations of VOCs are regularly up to 10 times as high as outdoor concentrations, and can climb up to a 1,000 times as high as outdoor concentrations when you are applying paint.

5. What is an Energy Star?: Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices.

Those appliances with the Energy Star rating meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and DOE. When shopping for new household products or a new home, look for ones that have earned the Energy Star.

If you are looking to make improvements to your home, the Energy Star website offers tools and resources to help you plan and undertake projects to reduce your energy bills and improve home comfort. Energy Star Website

6. What is the United States Green Building Council?: The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) is a nonprofit community of leaders working to make green buildings available to everyone within a generation. They developed the green building certification system known as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
USGBC Website

7. What is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)?: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is the internationally recognized green building certification system developed by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

8. What are some other green building certification programs?: To view a list of certification programs, visit the Certification Programs page. Certification Programs

9. What’s the rest of the world doing when it comes to green building?: Many countries have developed their own standards for green building. Programs include Green Star in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa; AQUA in Brazil; PromisE in Finland; DGNB in Germany; GRIHA in India; Protocollo Itaca in Italy; Green Mark in Singapore; and VERDE in Spain. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is also found in Canada, India, and Mexico.

10. What is a net-zero building?: A net-zero building or zero-energy building (ZEB) is one that produces as much energy on-site as it uses. In theory such a building would not be connected to any outside utilities such as electric or natural gas. All energy needs for heating, cooling, and lighting would be generated from within. However, a net-zero building could be connected to the electrical grid and use power from the grid at peak energy times but return an equal amount during off-peak hours.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is sponsoring the Net-Zero Energy Commercial Building Initiative. The goal is to achieve marketable net-zero energy commercial buildings by 2025. Refer to their website to learn more about this exciting challenge. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

11. What is embedded energy?: Embedded energy refers to the energy that is used in the process of extracting, refining, manufacturing, and transporting your building materials. The lower the embedded energy of your building, the better.

For example, wood reused from a structure (rather than simply disposing of it) has a low embedded energy.