Democratic Dentist

How to help environmental sustainability

Remodeling my apartment to meet LEED standards

The following plan describes how I could remodel my apartment achieve the highest LEED score possible:

Sustainability

-  My apartment stands above a hill of brush and blackberry bushes.  I would weed all of this, plant grass and large maple or elm trees.
-  I would install a covered bike locker to make sure bikes were safe.  That way, my roommates and I would be able to use our bikes around the U-district and for recreational trips.
-  To store, treat and reuse the abundant Jackson rainwater, I would use a gutter and filtration system.  Rainwater would then be used for the toilets.
-  Installing a reflective roof and planting trees that cover the house will reduce hot spots.

Water Efficiency

-  I would occupant sensors for saving water while the roommates are brushing their teeth, washing their hands, and doing the dishes.
-  The rainwater to toilet water plan would also help here.

Energy and Atmosphere

-  I will purchase fire extinguishers, one refrigerator and one mini-fridge.  All of these will not use any HCFC’s of Halon.
-  By replacing the water heater, oven, refrigerator, windows and light bulbs with their energy star counterparts, I can save a lot of energy.
-  Sign a contract purchase green power from Jackson City Light over the next couple years.
-  Buy an energy star thermostat that heats the apartment in the most efficient way.

Material & Resources

-  Instruct the roommates and other apartment dwellers in the house of proper recycling practices.
-  Recycle or reuse as much of the old materials as possible that I take out rebuilding the apartment.
-  Set a goal of how much material used to rebuild the apartment needs to be recycled and meet that goal.
-  Use a certain percentage of ESC certified wood.

Indoor Environment Quality

-  Install an air ventilation system that meets HVAC standards, because the basement smells and feels damp sometimes.
-  Prohibit smoke inside the house.  The roommates will be able breath easier.  The apartment will continue to not smell like smoke and there cigarette burn damage will be avoided.
-  Plan and follow through with keeping areas of the apartment uncontaminated while installing the ventilation
-  Install a temperature and humidity control system in the basement.  It takes days for towels to dry out and that sucks.

Innovation and Design
-  Before I do any of this, I would want to take a LEED class to figure out what I could do to my apartment and what would work best.

 

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