| [Image: climate zone map]Geographic Basics - Climate, Flood, Wind and Termites Geographic Basics in Louisiana include Climate, Flood, Wind and Termites. Read about the climate, wind and flood hazards, and termites in Louisiana. |
| Healthy and Eco-Friendly The healthy and eco-friendly home is designed and built to protect both the indoor environment and the outdoor environment, by reducing indoor pollutants, conservation natural resources, managing waste and waste-water and using materials that reduce pollution in their fabrication and transportation to the site. |
| [Image: Waste Management. (Reproduced with permission from "Builders Guide: Hot-Humid Climates" by Joe Lstiburek, Building Science Corporation)]Waste Management Reducing the amount of waste produced when building and living in homes can make a big difference in the number, longevity and cost of needed landfills. One way to reduce construction waste is to design modules that have dimentions in increments of two feet, since many building materials come in sizes that are multiples of two feet. |
| Take Control of Your Investment Seek out incentive programs that could help you create a high performance home. When you “build green,” you not only get a home that is earth friendly and healthy, you are doing your part to help our nation and preserve our way of life for the coming generations. |
| [Image: Universal Design - Bathroom]Design for a Lifetime Universal design is design for life. The goal is safe and independent living for just about anyone, any age, any size and any ability. With thoughtful planning and product choices for a new home, universal design can be achieved at little or no extra cost. |
| [Image: Humidity and Health]Moisture Basics Water vapor is one of the many gases that make up air. A little water vapor is good; too much is trouble. The goal is to maintain an indoor relative humidity (RH) in the 40% to 60% range, for comfort and health benefits (including deterring the growth of mold). For optimal dust mite control, maintain an RH below 50%. Read more on moisture basics. |
| [Image: Kitchen Work Triangle]Kitchen Design and Space Guidelines Use this list of guidelines to develop a convenient (family friendly and functional) kitchen plan. |
| Family-friendly, Functional and Adaptable Floor Plan Plan your home with dual purpose rooms and ample storage, room to maneuver, designed to grow with your family. |
| Practical Building Has Its Benefits More does not always mean better. Learn the importance of building a house that is marketable, cost-efficient, and will keep its value for years to come. |
| Checklist for Environmental Quality Use this checklist to explore and select features and components of an eco-friendly house in Louisiana. |
| [Image: Dehumidifying Ventilation System (FIgure 1).]Reducing Humidity in an Energy-efficient Home Energy-efficient homes in a humid climate, especially when ductwork is well sealed or within the conditioned space, need little or no cooling during periods of mild temperature, resulting in not enough dehumidification and higher than desired indoor humidity. The best solution is not to sacrifice energy efficiency, but to add dehumidification |
| [Image: CRI – IAQ Label (Indoor Air Quality Carpet Testing Program)]Control of Other Indoor Pollutants Other common unhealthy indoor pollutants include: pesticides; formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from pressed wood products, paints, finishes, adhesives, solvents, carpeting, upholstery, draperies, and household products, etc... Read more information about controlling indoor air pollution and radon-resistant construction. |
| Checklist for Healthy Indoor Air Quality Use this checklist to explore and select features and components of a house in Louisiana with healthy indoor air. |
| Pollution Prevention and Ecosystem Protection Look for alternative materials that are environmentally safe to help protect our earth's ozone layer. Read how using a design concept and system called permaculture to create sustainable human environments |
| [Image: Air Pressure Imbalance]Control of Combustion Pollutants Burning creates several combustion pollutants, including carbon monoxide (CO). In high levels, CO is deadly, but low levels are also harmful. Every source of combustion in the home should be vented to the outdoors. Read more on controlling combustion pollutants. |
| Water-Efficiency Treatment of drinking water and wastewater is increasingly expensive, even in high rainfall regions. Conserving water not only cuts your monthly water and sewer bill, it also reduces the public cost for water treatment capacity, and slows the depletion of ground water supplies. More than half of household water consumption is for outside purposes. Avoiding the use of treated drinking water for watering plants and washing the car is first priority. |
| [Image: Conduction]Heat Basics Heat moves three ways, so controlling it one way doesn’t necessarily affect the other two. |
| [Image: Duct Leaks and Negative Pressure (Figure 1).]Control of Mold, Dust Mites, Other Biological Pollutants Energy-efficient homes in a humid climate, especially when ductwork is well sealed or within the conditioned space, need little or no cooling during periods of mild temperature, resulting in not enough dehumidification and higher than desired indoor humidity. |
| Renewable Energy and Zero Energy Homes Use of renewable fuels, fuel cells, and photovoltaics can help homeowners achieve energy efficiency. |
| The Sustainable Louisiana House Use this checklist to explore and select features and components of a sustainable house in Louisiana. Refer to the Reference Guide for more information about items on the checklist. Use the checklist again to evaluate the construction plans for your Louisiana house. |
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