Getting Started with the DYO Green Building Decision Kit
The Green Building Decision Kit has 5 downloadable components
(DYO is an acronym for: Do Your Own)
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Starting any residential or small commercial project* involves a multitude of decisions that will affect the ultimate outcome of that project. If you decide to include green/sustainable products and technologies, clean energy-solar systems, healthy buildings with good indoor air quality, mechanical ventilation, heat pump heating & cooling systems, heat pump water heaters & clothes dryers, and much more involves additional decisions to made in the early stages of the design process.
If you wait until the project is finished to think about incorporating the features and technologies listed in the previous paragraph you will find that many of them are now more expensive to install and may involve deconstructing your already finished building or project.
The time-proven way to include the many products, technologies, and systems you intend to include for your project is to discuss all possible conventional and advanced options during the design phase. Based upon your budget and desired outcome you will likely need to determine which of the advanced products and technologies make the most sense for your project. The best method to determine what products and technologies offer the best outcome for your project is to have 'energy models' performed.
The DYO GBDKit is offered to help guide your discussions toward including advanced technologies and products into your final design. Sometimes your budget will limit what options you can add so it is highly recommended that you enlist the help of a certified home energy rater at your early design process. The rater can evaluate and perform energy models of which options that will be most beneficial for you based upon your criteria. This criteria can emphasize health, economic savings, or green products that are least harmful to our planet.
Based upon recent disasters and unpredictable weather patterns you may also want to consider making your building resilient (durable) for your climate zone. It is possible to make buildings resistant to fire, fortified against winds and flooding, and future ready with electric vehicle charging stations, solar energy systems, smart technologies, etcetera.
The following components are included in the DYO Green Building Decision Kit, should you decide to purchase one.
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1) The GBDKit Cover Page Image (PNG Format)
The cover page of the GBDKit is a single image that can be used as the first page of a printed version of the Guidebook, if you decide to print the Guidebook.
There are 196 pages inside the Guidebook that cover all the main topics
The GBDKit Guidebook Inside Pages (PDF Format)
There are 196 pages of information in the Guidebook that tie directly with the Workbook and the Display pages.
The GBDKit Workbook (PDF Format)
There are 71 pages of items to consider when designing, constructing and/or remodeling for green, sustainable home or small business.*
The GBDKit Wall/Display Pages (PDF Format)
The GBDKit Wall/Display pages can be used for group settings or electronic meetings to show the topics and subtopics easy to see. Very helpful when undertaking a Design Charrette.
The GBDKit Decision Matrix Software (Microsoft Excel File)
Two versions of Microsoft Excel files: .xls for Excel 97 to 2003 workbook. (Should work with all versions of Excel)
.xltm as an Excel Macro-Enabled Template (For newer versions of Excel)
Note: The Decision Matrix Software has been tested for viruses and is provided for educational use only with no guarantees or warranties. You will need to accept the Software 'Terms and Conditions' when purchasing the GBDKit.
*The GBDKit also can be used to make a small commercial building green/sustainable as long as the heating, cooling, and ventilation equipment are residential in nature. The kit is not intended to work with commercial or industrial projects that incorporate boilers, chillers, roof top units, and other large scale equipment.
The DYO GBDKit is offered for educational and informational purposes only to help start discussions on a particular topic or idea. Any and all decisions made on any project or topic is the responsibility of the project owner or owners, or by the owner's authorized representative.