Green Building

Green building is a "Whole-Systems" approach for designing and constructing buildings that conserve energy, water, and material resources and are healthier, safer, and more comfortable.

In practical terms, green building includes: 

  • Using sun and wind to the building's advantage for natural heating, cooling, and day lighting; 
  • Landscaping with native plants and using water efficiently; 
  • Building quality, durable structures; 
  • Insulating well and ventilating appropriately; 
  • Incorporating salvaged, recycled, and sustainably harvested materials; 
  • Maintaining healthy indoor air quality with appropriate building techniques and materials; 
  • Using energy-efficient and water-saving appliances and fixtures; and 
  • Reducing and recycling construction waste. 

Green Building Resources

The links below direct you to useful sites that incorporate green building practices when processing or constructing development projects, information on state-mandated and federal standards/regulations, and other regulatory green tools.  

 

Build It Green 

  • Continuing education and networking for public agencies, non-profits, and building professionals. 
  • Listing of certified green architects and building contractors. 
  • Materials Database: extensive listing of green products, materials, and technologies available in the Bay Area. 
  • Fact sheets, referrals, case studies, events listings, green building links, and in-depth information on green building materials and strategies. 
  • Green Home Tours, workshops, and presentations. 

Green Halo Systems 

  • Free web-based service for waste diversion and recycling tracking. 
  • Establish, monitor, and document their waste management plan and compliance online. 
  • Tracks construction and demolition debris diversion rate from the landfill and carbon footprint savings. 

United States Green Building Council (USGBC) 

  • Extensive collection of green building resources: market research, publications, presentations, and links to additional resources 
  • LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Rating System information: case studies, training, certification, workshops 

MCE Clean Energy

  • Explore an alternative electricity source that is currently available to residents of Danville. 
  • Information about energy choices, rates, energy savings, solar & electric vehicles, energy sources, meetings, and events.  
  • Learn more about types of energy efficient products and strategies for buildings and plants from Energy Star

Water Wiser 

  • Targeted to water conservation professionals, but freely accessible to the general public. 
  • Links to Water Saver Home - a virtual encyclopedia of water saving tips for indoor and outdoor uses. 

EPA Water Efficiency Program 

  • Extensive info and resources on how to use water more efficiently. 
  • Applicable to all water users from homeowners to governments. 

EPA Indoor Air Quality 

  • Extensive info and resources on indoor air quality. 
  • Indoor Air Quality information: hotline to help locate the appropriate information, 800-438-4318. 
  • For Consumers: information on Indoor Air Quality concerns and tip sheets to help identify and reduce pollutants in the home. For Builders: guidelines and Registered House Builder training for building homes with better Indoor Air Quality.