Best Practices

Consider how you can incorporate green technology and materials into your live and work areas. Green technology allows you to have an eco-friendly, low-toxin or non-toxic space, which means a healthier environment.

Many of the design techniques, material choices and green technologies discussed in this section can be adapted for a variety of spaces. As you begin using green design and materials in your space, review Chapter 22: Rehabbing Your Space for additional information on permit issues, space layout and design, hiring design professionals, and more. Also consider:

• Products: When choosing products, utilize those obtained by sustainable methods (such as tree farm products) and/or contain recyclable elements. Using products that are locally produced also reduces the pollution created during transportation.
  
  Avoid products that use CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) or VOCs (volatile organic compounds) during their manufacture, installation, maintenance and demolition, and/or emit CFC and VOC gases.
  
  While CFC production has been banned in the U.S., some older buildings still have old refrigerators and freezers or other equipment that contains CFCs.
  
  VOC gases can cause headaches, nausea and irritation to your eyes and nasal passages. Paints, sealants, carpet, furniture and other products are now available that contain no- or low-VOCs. Most of these products will contain labels indicating if they are as no- or low-VOC.
  
  Use appliances, equipment and tools that are energy efficient and environmentally friendly. Energy Star and GreenGuard are just a few of the companies that test products for energy efficiency, water usage, low-VOC, etc. Both organizations offer listings of products that meet their requirements. View the Websites for additional information on guidelines and standards, as well as product lists.

• Building Operation and Management: Look for ways to minimize energy use, such as combining heating and power systems. This process is known as cogeneration, and can lead to energy efficiency and lower heating and power costs. Also incorporate renewable energy systems and minimize unproductive and wasteful energy habits such as leaving on the lights and other equipment when not using them.

Additional information on incorporating green practices into your space can be found on the Green Homes chart (see below to download).

The practices presented in this chart utilize technology and materials that are readily available in the metropolitan area, require a small to medium financial commitment and are considered beneficial to the environmental needs specific to the Chicago area. These charts are created from information contained in the report Best Practices for Green Building in Chicago, which can be downloaded as an attachment. This report also provides case studies illustrating how green practices have successfully been incorporated in spaces citywide.

You will face barriers in trying to go green, particularly in building code restrictions. For example, the Chicago Building Code does not allow for composting toilets or waterless urinals, and requires at least 1.6 gallons of water per flush.

Another example involves requirements for ventilation systems. The Code stipulates that ventilation systems must be able to operate at a level based on the maximum occupancy of a space, rather than the actual occupancy. This means that you cannot adjust the ventilation system based on the number of people in the space. If the ventilation requirements are set for a maximum load of 20 people, and only two are in the space, the energy and resources needed to operate for 18 non-present individuals are wasted.

So, what does this mean? Essentially, don’t give up on trying to incorporate environmentally safe practices into your space because of a few hurdles. Be flexible with your design needs, and make sure that the practice you want still meets the City zoning and building code requirements. This might require working with an architect or other design professional to adequately incorporate green and sustainable technologies and practices into your space.
In addition to the information contained in this chapter, review the American Society of Interior Designers Sustainable Design Resource Center (DRS), which contains articles, case studies and resources on sustainable design. The site also offers directories of green design and building professionals, and of products.