The EcoNet Building System integrates energy conservation, sustainability, environmental responsibility and durability into the aesthetic building design preferred by each client.
Energy Basics
Energy, for the most part, can only be used once. Since energy must be “manufactured” it always comes at a price. The most cost effective way to reduce energy expense is conservation - Design to vastly reduce the amount of energy required to make your life at home comfortable.
Some energy experts suggest the road to energy conservation is to do without - Keep your thermostat at 62 degrees in the winter and 85 degrees in the summer. Learn to live in small spaces-200 sq. ft. per person is adequate-wash dishes instead of using an electric dishwasher. Use only enough light to light the area in the immediate proximity of each person; and on. . and on . . . . .
The “less is better” approach does work - Fortunately, compromising life style is not the only way to achieve energy conservation.It is entirely possible to live very comfortably and at the same time, be very energy conservative.
Environmental Basics
As a whole, development of our modern habitat has not been friendly to our environment. The use of land, materials, rivers and the oceans has been short sighted.
Some people believe all development is bad for our environment and take drastic measures to force their point of view on others. It is EcoNet’s premise thatit’s entirely possible to develop, build, grow, and simantanously improve our environment.
Sustainability Basics
Sustainability, affordability and durability must be considered as a whole. A product that is manufactured or processed from sustainable resources but fails to perform the purpose for which it was intended is not superior to a product manufactured or processed using less sustainable resources but which dramatically out performs the more “sustainable” product. Examining the entire impact of products or systems from their production through their recycling is a comprehensive method of determining their compatibility with EcoNet goals. “LifeCycle Assessment” is the primary basis upon which EcoNet material and product recommendations are based. After the product has proven its Life Cycle worthiness, the next consideration is financial. A sustainable product must also be cost effective and render the service for which it is intended.
The next consideration is the environmental practices of the products manufacturers. In most cases, this is a highly subjective judgment. The information regarding a products manufacturer’s practices is limited, often clouded with incorrect information and in many cases, the end product purchased by the consumer is primarily an assembly of many components, most of which are manufactured by different companies, often in countries other than the United States. None the less, EcoNet reviews the most reliable environmental and sustainable product ratings prior to adding the product to the recommended products list.
Recommended Products
Products are evaluated and rated for performance characteristics based on Life Cycle Assessment, Suitability, Durability, Cost Effectiveness, and their environmental impact on the project itself. Those products which achieve a high score in all catagories become “Recommended Products”.
The EcoNet recommended products list is updated on a regular basis. New products are added as EcoNet determines their overall worthiness. Often these products are tested in actual “living laboratories”.
EcoNet Design Approach
1. Reduce building load.
2. Apply passive energy reduction technologies.
3. Apply cost effective active technologies.
4. “Recycle” the maximum amount of spent energy.
5. Offset net energy used by on -site sustainable micro generation.
