- by Thatcher Michelsen

This detailed Glossary of Terms for Green Building and Green Real Estate information, will become a valuable resource to anyone whom is interested in learning more about and getting invovled in Green Sustainable Living. If you have a suggestion on a term to add to this list please do contact us with details, thanks and enjoy. 

Active Solar - Technology which harnesses solar energy, and with the use of electrical and mechanical equipment, it converts the solar energy into usable heat and electricity, causes air movement for ventilation of cooling, and stores it for later use. Even though active solar technology uses mechanical and electrical equipment, it does not use external energy. See also "Passive Solar"


Bamboo - An extremely fast growing timber plant that requires no fertilizers or pesticides for growth and health. It has a short harvesting cycle and regenerates well. Some species can grow up to 4 feet in 24 hours. This plant absorbs 2/3 more carbon dioxide and releases 2/3 more oxygen than any other plant on earth. It is also naturally anti-microbial, even after processing. Bamboo fiber is also a great insulator and has natural anti-static properties.


Biomass - Organic matter natural energy source harnessed from wood, grass, agricultural waste, etc. Biomass has net-zero greenhouse gas emissions due to the fact that the carbon emissions are balanced with the carbon absorbed when the plant grew.


Bio-remediation - The use of natural processes and biological agents (microbes, bacteria, plants, worms, etc.) to neutralize and break down contaminants in polluted soil and water, thus restore the land and back to productive use. See Vermicomposting.


Black Water - Water that contains human and other biological contagious waste. This water comes from toilets and urinals. Black water contains pathogens that must be neutralized and broken down before the water can be safely reused. Typically black water, after neutralization, is used for flushing and irrigation (i.e. gardening.)


Building Envelope - Parts of the building like the walls, windows, roof, skylights, etc. and materials from which they are made like insulation, vapor barriers, siding, etc. that enclose the building. The building envelope is one of the determining factors of the sustainability of the building. A properly built building enveloped acts like a thermal barrier - keeping heat out in the summer and keeping heat in in the summer.


Carbon Dioxide (CO2) - Carbon Dioxide is a colorless, odorless gas that occurs naturally in the earth’s atmosphere. The major source of man-made carbon dioxide emissions is from the combustion of fossil fuels. Carbon dioxide is one of the many greenhouse gases and is proven to contribute to global warming and climate change. There is about 50 times as much carbon dissolved in the oceans in the form of CO2 and CO2 hydration products as exists in the atmosphere. Our oceans act as carbon sinks; they have already absorbed about one-third of human-generated CO2 emissions.


Carbon Neutral - A process during which the net discharge of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere is zero. Global carbon neutrality can be achieved by planting enough vegetation so that man-made carbon dioxide emissions would be balanced by equal carbon dioxide absorption by the vegetation.


Carbon Footprint - A measure of the amount of carbon dioxide emitted through the combustion of fossil fuels. A carbon footprint is often measured and expressed as tons of carbon dioxide or tons of carbon emitted, usually per year.


CFL - Compact Flourescent Light Bulbs - A type of a flourescent lamp that uses less energy and has a longer rated life that the standard incandescent light bulb. CFL's are 3 or 4 times more efficient than standard light bulbs and last 8 to 10 times longer. The glass tube is folded and twisted into a spiral to increase light output. The purchase price of a CFL is higher than that of an incandescent lamp of the same luminous output, but this cost is recovered in energy savings and replacement costs over the bulb's lifetime.


Composting System - Outdoor bin or a collection of bins used for converting organic matter (vegetable and fruit scraps, weeds from the garden, etc.) See Vermicomposting.


Daylighting - The use of natural light to supplement or replace artificial, electrical lighting. Green buildings are built in a way so that daylighting is increased throughout the building. Buildings in the Northern Hemisphere are oriented facing the south to increase sun's exposure, and buildings in the Southern Hemisphere are situated facing the north for the same reason.


Displacement Ventilation - A method of space conditioning where conditioned air is supplied at or near the floor in an occupied area. The air is supplied at a low rate so the layer of cool air collects in the occupied zone resulting in comfortable conditions. The heat generated by occupants (or various equipment like computer servers) rise to the ceiling along with air pollutants and then removed by fans.


Eco-friendly - Describes anything that has little or no impact on the native eco-system.


Ecological Footprint - Measure of the amount of natural resources and area used for the construction and maintenance of a building, community, city, etc. This includes resource extraction and waste disposal. See embodied energy.


Embodied Energy - Total energy used to create and transport a product. This includes the energy used in mining or harvesting the materials needed for the product, the processing of those materials, fabricating, and transporting the product.


Energy Efficiency - Ratio of energy output to energy output measured for a process.


Ergonomic - The science of equipment design or anything that is used or accessed by humans. The design focuses on maximizing productivity and comfort. Ergonomics comes into everything which involves people. Green buildings are designed with ergonomics and aesthetic appeal in mind for the sake of occupant's mental and physical health.


Fossil Fuels - Hydrocarbons found in the earth's crust. Fossil fuels are actually the fossilized remains of animal and plant matter that are millions of years old. Fossil fuels include oil, natural gas, shale, and coal. Fossil fuels are considered to be non-renewable since they are consumed faster than their natural production.


Fuel Cell - An electrochemical device in which hydrogen is combined with oxygen to produce electricity, heat and water vapor. Since electricity is produced by a chemical reaction and not by combustion, fuel cells are considered to be green power producers.


Global Warming - An increase in the Earth's average global temperature that is a result of increased emissions of greenhouse gases that are trapped within the Earth’s atmosphere, and further are absorbed by the ocean making it acidic and killing the coral reefs the basis of all life on earth.


Gray Water - Wastewater that comes from sinks, showers, kitchens, washers, etc. Gray water does not contain human waste or other biological pathogens. Unlike black water which does. Graywater can be recycled especially for use in gardening or for flushing toilets.


Green - A term that describes a building, a site, an event, or an object that is designed and produced in an environmentally sensitive manner, i.e. with minimal impact to the environment.


Green Building - A building that is designed and built to minimize impact on the environment through methods such as resource (energy, water, etc.) conservation. Green buildings are usually built to be comfortable and aesthetically pleasing, in addition to having a healthful environment for its occupants.


Greenhouse Effect - Greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere permit solar radiation to pass through but prevent most of the reflected infrared radiation from the earth’s surface and lower

atmosphere from escaping into outer space. This process occurs naturally and has kept the earth’s average surface temperature at approximately 60°F. Increased emissions of greenhouse gases caused by human activities has caused and continues to feed climate change and its consequential adverse effects.


Greenhouse Gases - Any gas that absorbs infrared radiation in the earth’s atmosphere. Common greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrogen oxides

(NOx), ozone (O3), chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halogenated fluorocarbons (HCFCs), perfluorinated carbons (PFCs), hydrofluoro-carbons (HFCs) and Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6).

Carbon dioxide, methane and nitrogen oxides are of particular concern due to their long residence time in the atmosphere.


Green Power - Electricity or usable energy generated from renewable energy sources like the sun, the wind, and biomass. Geothermal energy and hydroelectric energy is also considered green energy.


Green Roof- Also termed as eco-roofs, vegetated roofs, living roofs, or greenroofs.A roof that is partially or completely covered with growing vegetation planted over a waterproofing membrane. A green roof sometimes includes a root barrier and drainage and irrigation systems. There are many benefits to living under a green roof.

A place to grow your own vegetables, fruits, and flowers.
Reduces heating bills by insulating your roof and keeping the heat inside.
Reduces your cooling bills by shielding the sun that heats up the roof.
Increase the life span of your roof.

Reduces the heat island effect by utilizing the sun's energy instead of absorbing and reflecting it.
Filters the air by removing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.
Reduces stormwater run off.
Increases wildlife habitat (great for urban dwellers and bird-lovers)


Electric Grid - A nation-wide network of power transmission and distribution facilities that provides electricity to homes, businesses, and the industry. Large power plants, wind power-generating facilities as well as small power producers (such as solar and hydropower) feed electrical power into the grid.


Heat Island Effect - A phenomenon that occurs in developed and urban areas where paved roads, buildings, parking lots, etc. result in an increase in outdoor temperatures. The heat island effect can be reduced by vegetation like green roofs and light colored materials on roofs and roads that reflect heat. This phenomenon can raise the local temperature to as much as 10°F hotter than the surrounding undeveloped areas.


LED - Light Emitting Diod - This little source of light is actually a semiconductor diode that emits narrow-spectrum light when voltage is applied. The color of the emitted light depends on the composition and condition of the semiconducting material used. It's light emission ranges from the infrared to the ultraviolet. An LED can be used as a regular household light source. There are many benefits to using an LED.

Produces more light per watt than incandescent bulbs
Have a longer working life. Some were reported to have 35,000 to 50,000 hours of optimal function, while flourescent bulbs have only 30,000 hours, and incandescent have only 1,000-2,000 hours.

Last longer than flourescent bulbs in applications that are subject to frequent on-off cycling.
Unlike CFL's, LED's do not contain mercury, a harmful heavy metal.


LEED - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design - A rating system developed by the US Green Building Council that evaluates the environmental performance of a building over its life cycle. A building is rated according to six categories:
Water Efficiency
Sustainability

Energy and Atmosphere Material Resources
Indoor Environmental Quality

Innovation

Design Process

Low-e Glass - Low emissivity glass - glass that prevents the exchange of heat. It has an invisible thin-film metallic or oxide coating which allows the passage of short-wave solar energy into the building's space but prevents the long-wave energy produced by the building's heating systems and lighting from escaping into the outside.


Low water-flow plumbing fixtures - These fixtures are different from the conventional plumbing fixtures because they consume less water but are just as efficient. These fixtures include kitchen and bathroom faucets, showerheads, and toilets. The fixtures can be found at a local hardware store. They are similarly priced as conventional fixtures and just as simple to install, although toilet installation requires an expert. Low-flow toilets use a maximum of 1.6 gallons of water per flush compared with about 3.5 gallons of water used by a standard toilet. Low-flow shower heads use about 2½ gallons of water per minute compared to between four and five gallons per minute used by conventional heads. Low-flow faucet aerators can cut the water usage of faucets by as much as 40% from 4 gallons per minute to 2½.


Microturbine - A small auxiliary electricity-generating turbine that is efficient, on-demand, and on-site. It runs on petroleum, biodiesel, and natural gas. New York City government now approves the use of microturbines in New York City's buildings.


Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) - Gases consisting of one molecule of nitrogen and varying numbers of oxygen molecules. Nitrogen oxides are by-products of combustion processes and are commonly found in the automobile exhaust and emissions from fossil fuel-burning power plants. Nitrogen oxides are greenhouse gases and a major component of acid rain and smog.

Non-renewable Energy Resources - Energy resources that cannot be restored or replenished by natural processes, or regenerated at the same rate as they are consumed. Therefore, these sources are depleted by human use. Coal, fossil oil, natural gas, and uranium or non-renewable energy resources.

Ozone (O3) - Ozone is a greenhouse gas present in the stratosphere and the troposphere. In the stratosphere, ozone provides a protective layer shielding the earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation. In the lower atmosphere ozone is a pollutant that causes respiratory problems and is an ingredient of smog.


Passive Solar- the means of using sunlight for energy without active mechanical systems (see active solar). Passive solar technologies convert sunlight into usable heat (water, air, or thermal mass), create air movement for ventilation, and allow for heat storage for future use, without the assistance of other energy sources. Some passive solar systems use a small amount of conventional energy to control devices that enhance solar energy collection, storage, use, and reduce undesirable heat transfer. Passive solar technologies include direct and indirect sunlight for space heating, water heating, and cooking (see Solar Cooker) among many other things. Space and water heating have proven, over time, to be better applications for passive solar energy utilization.


Photovoltaic Cell - A device that converts sunlight directly into electricity. Photovoltaic (PV) cells are silicon-based semiconductors and are often referred to as solar cells. PV cells were developed in the mid-1950’s and have become cost effective for places that power-lines cannot reach.

Rainwater Harvesting - The collection, storage, and reuse of rainwater.

Recycling - The collection, separation, and processing of materials so that products and raw materials are recovered and reused. Recycling can definitely apply to construction materials, and even to buildings themselves.

Regeneration - Renewal of sites or habitats that have become unfit for human, animal, or plant habitation. Regeneration brings the dilapidated areas back into productive and hospitable use.

Renewable Energy Sources - Natural energy sources that replenish themselves so that they can be harnessed again without ecological damage. Sources of renewable energy include solar energy, hydroelectric power, geothermal energy, wind power, tidal power, and fuel wood.

Sick Building Syndrome - According to the Environmental Protection Agency and National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Sick Building Syndrome is defined as “situations in which building occupants experience acute health and/or comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a particular building, but where no specific illness or cause can be identified. The complaints may be localized in a particular room or zone, or may be spread throughout the building.”


Solar Collector - A device used to absorb heat from the sun. In the context of buildings, the absorbed energy typically heats water, which is then used for space heating and/or domestic hot water.


Solar Cooker - A device that uses only sunlight to cook. It requires no fuel and no cost to run. Solar cookers can also be used for outdoor cooking, especially where fire risk is high and minimal fuel consumption is important.


Solar Power - Energy harnessed from the sun converted into electricity. This is achieved either through the photovoltaic effect or by heating a transfer fluid to produce that runs runs the generator. Modern solar technologies provide heating, lighting, and electricity and even flight.


Vermicomposting - A type of composting that involves the use of Red Wiggler worms or Red Earthworms. These species of earthworm eat organic matter (for examples, onion and banana peel, apple core, etc.) and turn it into nutrient rich fertilizer and soil conditioner. These worms can easily be ordered from a nursery and fishing shops where they are sold as bait. Small-scale vermicomposting is great for a plant-lover or someone who wants to put their kitchen scraps to use.


Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) - Organic compounds that have high vapor pressures and therefore evaporate at room temperatures. They are often hazardous to health, causing poor indoor air quality. There are many sources of VOC’s in the common home, and they are paints, spray cleaners, room deodorizers, and cosmetics. Many materials commonly used in non-green building construction such as carpets, furniture and paints emit VOC’s. VOC's have a wide array of adverse health effects that include:
* Eye, nose, and throat irritation
* Skin rashes
* Headaches, fatigue, nausea, vertigo, and memory impairment
* Damage to the liver, kidney, and central nervous system
* Some VOC's have been shown to cause cancer


Wind Turbine - A cost-effective, environmentally-friendly device that converts the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical energy or electricity. Wind turbines can be small -scale which creates enough energy for one household, and large-scale like industrial wind farms that generate enough energy for entire cities. There are two types of wind turbines: horizontal axis turbines where the blades rotate about a horizontal axis; and vertical axis turbines where the blades rotate about a vertical axis.


Xeriscaping - A kind of landscaping that focuses on dramatically reducing water use. Xeriscaping involves planting native plants and installing an efficient irrigation system. With the use of native plants, fertilizers and pesticides are not needed because the plant is in its habitat and therefore already adapted to the surrounding flora and fauna. Since the xeriscape does not need chemical support and it waters itself sufficiently and efficiently, its need for maintenance is conveniently low. Another big benefit is that native plants replace turf area which requires tedious and sometimes expensive lawn-mowing.