Construction Industry
Establishments primarily engaged in the construction of building and other structures, or in demolition or wrecking of structures.
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Additional Resources (Sector Resources)
- Lists of documents and resources in the Construction Industry area. These "sector resources" are
compiled by regional P2Rx centers.
The American Lung Association Health House Builder Guidelines are among the most stringent in the nation for building a healthier, more energy and resource efficient homes.
The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) is the United States section of the International Solar Energy Society. A nonprofit, ASES is dedicated to the development and adoption of renewable energy in all its forms. Its website includes resources for renewable energy, as well as links to Solar Energy Home Tours in each state.
BEES measures the environmental performance of building products by using the life-cycle assessment approach specified in ISO 14000 standards. All stages in the life of a product are analyzed: raw material acquisition, manufacture, transportation, installation, use, and recycling and waste management. Economic performance is measured using the ASTM standard life-cycle cost method, which covers the costs of initial investment, replacement, operation, maintenance and repair, and disposal. Environmental and economic performance are combined into an overall performance measure using the ASTM standard for Multi-Attribute Decision Analysis.
Source:
Office of Applied Economics; National Institute of Standards and Technology
Building America is a private/public partnership that develops energy solutions for new and existing homes. The Building America program combines the knowledge and resources of industry leaders with the U.S. Department of Energy's technical capabilities. Together, they act as a catalyst for change in the home-building industry.
The Building America Web site provides a portal to technical resources supporting the construction of energy- and resource-efficient homes.
An extremely comprehensive portal to curriculum materials about the state of the art research being done by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the Department of Energy. This portal covers virtually every type of renewable energy being researched. Appropriate materials for every level.
There are tremendous resources here for higher education, as well as K - 12.Here you'll find information for lesson plans, curriculum, and educational materials for teaching students about energy, particularly energy efficiency and renewable energy.
This is EPA's teaching site. It is a portal to a plethora of teaching tools, publications, other links, awards, grants, conferences, students jobs and other related information.
The Home Builders Institute (HBI) is the workforce development arm of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The creation of this non-profit corporation was a result of the merger of NAHB?s Manpower Development and Training Division, Education Department and the Education Foundation. Its Residential Construction Academy and extensive resource list make it a prime source of information for the construction trade.
the Building America Building Science Consortium developed the Web-based Houses That Work (HTW) as a climate-specific technical resource for designing and building homes that are 30% or more energy efficient than the 1993 Model Energy Code (MEC). The resource reflected the experience gained from five years of Building America teamwork, including insights gained during the construction of more than 8,000 production homes from across the country. Houses That Work was and is a freely-accessible learning resource and reference for builders, building product manufacturers, building researchers, and the general public.
This publication contains guidance for builders engaged in or interested in green building products and practices for residential design, development and construction. This publication is not intended to be exhaustive and all-inclusive and the enclosed guidelines are not to be considered the only method of green building. These guidelines for green building originate from the collective experience of leading personnel in the green building movement (marketplace), but
must, due to the nature of the responsibilities involved, be presented only as a guide for the use of a qualified developer, builder, remodeler, or design professional.
This site is the building community's connection to the authoritative national source of knowledge and advice on matters of building regulation, science and technology. One of its major programs - and there are many - is the National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities.
Stan Ovshinsky, ECD Ovonics' President and Chief Technology Officer, has been honored as one of Time Magazine's Heroes for the Planet. He holds over 350 U.S. patents and over 800 foreign patents that have significantly impacted our understanding of renewable energies and how to use them. Peruse this website to learn of some of the best work that is happening now regarding solar panels, energy storage, hydrogen fuel and fuel cell technology.
The Partnership for Envirnmental Technology and Education (PETE) interacts with both schools and industries. Its Resources for Teaching is a dependable bridge for materials that can help teachers and students not only learn more about technology education resources, including construction and renewable energy, but its network helps assure that students are properly prepared for a changing job market after school.
Source:
Partnership for Environmental Technology Education
This topic hub introduces the importance of resource efficient construction or green building practices for builders, designers, architects and pollution prevention assistance providers. Nearly one hundred and fifty links direct users to some of the best information relating to green design, marketing, products, affordability, indoor air quality and related topics.
Small wind electric systems can
make a significant contribution to
our nation's energy needs. Although
wind turbines large enough to provide
a significant portion of the electricity
needed by the average U.S.
home generally require one acre of
property or more, approximately
21 million U.S. homes are built on
one-acre and larger sites, and 24%
of the U.S. population lives in rural
areas.
Housed under the Residential Construction Academy and funded by National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), corporate partners, and student member dues, the NAHB Student Chapters program helps to enrich the educational experience of students enrolled in construction-related studies and training. Chapters are located at universities, community colleges, high schools and vocational/technical institutions across the country. This link tells you how to get started and the benefits you can expect.
Introduces some basic Concepts of landscaping with native plants, referred to by many as "naturescaping," and follows twith Steps you can take to get started.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) GreenScapes program provides cost-efficient and environmentally friendly solutions for landscaping. Designed to help preserve natural resources and prevent waste and pollution, GreenScapes encourages comp
Global trade association for residential and commercial lawn care professionals. A technical and business management resource for its members, PLCAA offers workshops, public awareness campaigns, publications, and a management conference.
This site contains ninety technologies and practices that improve the energy and resource efficiency of commercial and multi-unit residential buildings.
This website guides users to incorporate sustainable design into affordable housing. The site has application to all building projects with sustainable or resource-efficient design and construction goals.
An overview of strategies to build "green homes". Case studies and builder interviews touch on the concepts of 'Smart Growth', building community, site design, use of infill and brownfields, stormwater controls and design, and energy efficiency.
Source:
National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and NAHB Research Center
The Construction Industry Compliance Assistance Center - CICA Center - has a new website which explains environmental rules for the construction industry. Also provided are links to state regulations and other resources, including links to state and local green building programs. The site is virtually indispensible for any construction project.
Source:
The National Center for Manufacturing Sciences and the EPA.
The Construction Waste Management Guide was written for professionals who do not deal directly with construction waste, yet have an impact on what happens to it. The purpose of the Guide is to educate these professionals about their role in reducing, reusing and recycling waste generated from remodeling, construction and demolition. The Guide includes step-by-step methods for salvaging and reusing building materials, an overview of deconstruction, information about construction and demolition waste processing facilities and guidance on using a specification, plan and report.
Guide to provide recycling and waste prevention how-to's for all builders, from handyman/remodelers to large commercial contractors, who want to save money; worksheets and case studies included.
The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and selected federal incentives that promote renewable energy. Overall, this is an outstanding resource.
A discussion of the pros and cons of basic elements (a well-constructed and tightly sealed thermal envelope; controlled ventilation; properly sized, high-efficiency heating and cooling systems; and energy-efficient doors, windows, and appliances).
Source:
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN)
This guide provides information on federal environmental requirements for construction projects. It is written primarily for owners of construction projects and for general contractors who supervise construction projects. Subcontractors also may find the information useful.
Green Built Home (Wisconsin) provides this "top 10" list of measures to reduce the environmental impact of home building. It focuses on where a homebuyer might get the best environmental result for the money. Sample strategies are provided.
Practical recommendations for building and renovating a home. This manual discusses the seven steps to a healthy home with step by step recommendations.
Source:
by Joseph Lstiburek and Terry Brennan/Dept. of Energy / Building Science Corporation
Practical information about residential radon; health effects, testing, and resistant construction methods. Extensive information is provided on proper testing procedures. For: Buyers, sellers and builders.
This site profiles resource efficient homes throughout the country, highlighting techniques and technologies appropriate for specific sites, climatic conditions, and affordability ranges.
Source:
Peaks to Prairies Pollution Prevention Information Center
Design recommendations are provided as a starting point for designing a specific house in a specific location and climate. Explanations for envelope assemblies and moisture-related risks are discussed for each climate. Includes case studies.
Designed to help contractor's meet federal environmental requirements applying to construction issues like stormwater, wetlands, spills, hazardous and non-hazardous waste, air quality, asbestos and various federal environmental acts. It includes questions to help identify and allocate environmental repsonsibility, case studies, and checklists for self-inspection.
These guidelines were created for mainstream home builders. They highlight the ways a home builder can effectively weave environmental solutions into a new home and provide a tool that local associations can use to create their own green home building program. Topics include: lot design, preparation, and development; resource efficiency;
energy efficiency; water efficiency; indoor environmental quality; operation, maintenance and homeowner education; global impact; site planning and land development. An email discussion forum is also offered.
PATH?s Technology Inventory is a unique source of information on technological innovations in the housing industry. The inventory focuses on technologies currently considered to be "emerging" (i.e. with a market share of 5% or less) in a wide range of categories; from new materials, components and systems to complete houses. The comprehensive discussion of the technology includes overview, benefits/costs, limitations and field evaluations.
Source:
National Association of Home Builders Research Center (NAHBRC)
For use by architects and engineers, this provides solar resources information for common window orientations for the United States and its territories. Scroll down for link to 30-year normals and solar radiation maps.
Source:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL's) Analytic Studies Division / Home Power Magazine
Descriptions of tax credits, deductions, and exemptions for recycling related activities, ie. equipment purchases, product purchases, etc. by state. Tax incentives apply to a variety of businesses and individuals as shown.
Types of stormwater discharges addressed under Federal Phase II Final Rule; permitting options and requirements for operators of large and small construction activities. Select the link to small construction activities or other applicable links.
The Stormwater Manager's Resource Center is designed specifically for stormwater practitioners, local government officials and others that need technical assistance on stormwater management issues. Created and maintained by the Center for Watershed Protection, the SMRC has everything you need to know about stormwater in a single site
The 4th edition of GreenSpec Directory includes information on more than 1,750 green building products carefully screened by the editors of Environmental Building News, organized according to the 16-division CSI MasterFormat? system. Directory listings cover more than 250 categories--from access flooring to zero-VOC paints.
This roadmap was developed to strategically overcome the slow adoption of new technologies into homebuilding, and the lack of systems science and
engineering standards in the manufacturing of products and the construction of houses. The roadmap details five strategies to overcome chronic barriers and outlines the benefits of taking proactive steps. The recommendations of this roadmap have the potential to make home construction more affordable, higher quality, customizable, and receptive to new innovations.
Additional Resources (Sector Resources)
- Lists of documents and resources in the Construction Industry area. These "sector resources" are
compiled by regional P2Rx centers.
The
Pollution Prevention Resource Exchange is a national network of regional
information centers: NEWMOA (Northeast),
WRRC (Southeast), GLRPPR
(Great Lakes), ZeroWasteNet
(Southwest), P2RIC (Plains), Peaks
to Prairies (Mountain), WSPPN
(Pacific Southwest), PPRC (Northwest).
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