The Green Column

The Green Column

by Richard C. MacCrea, Andrews Valley Initiative

rmaccrea@verizon.net

In order for the green movement to create jobs, a long bridge must be crossed, that of education. Local green builders deal with a lack of training among their workers. Organizations like the Southern Appalachian Sustainable Building Council and local builders associations have approached local high schools and community colleges about creating green building programs.

The schools are interested in helping people fit into the local job market. But the colleges have a valid concern. Setting up a program like this, organizing a curriculum, and hiring teachers is all very expensive. What if they build it and no one comes? They need to see an interest in taking these courses.

Are you a laid off construction worker? Are you tired of watching TV reruns? Can you invest some of this time learning about green building? Is there financial aid for your job training? Research on line, ask the employment office, the local colleges.

Meanwhile do your own self education. The Internet has a mountain of information. If you are not on line, do your research for free at the library. Start on these web sites: buildingscience.com, southface.org, healthybuilthomes.org. epa.gov/greenbuilding/, and usgbc.org. Research phrases like green construction, energy efficient buildings, etc.

There are many promising fields in green construction:

HVAC (heating, ventilation, and cooling) systems consume more energy in our buildings than anything else. Learning how to design and install more efficient systems could help people reduce their cost of living while keeping them more comfortable.

Insulation installers are key to making buildings efficient. There is a huge need to bring older buildings up to standard. This is our largest potential for reducing energy consumption. Many times the energy savings can pay for the improvements.

Energy raters are trained experts at finding ways to reduce energy loss. They might pressure test the building and its HVAC system for leaks. Thermal imaging photography can identify where the hidden leaks are. Computer software can be used to create an energy model of the structure to help them calculate the best ways to save energy for that specific building.

There is also a need for radon remediation. Home inspections often uncover unhealthy levels of radon in our local homes, and this can stand in the way of a sale.

Study areas outside your field. Understanding how all the systems of a building work together is very important for everyone working on green projects. It can also put you ahead of the line for re-employment, and you will be more proud of your work.

There are many other possibilities. Maybe you are ingenious enough to discover a new way to help people reduce energy costs.

The next column will be about Radon, a radioactive gas in our buildings. Richard C. MacCrea is the director of The Greening of Andrews Valley, a program of Andrews Valley Initiative. He works in the field of energy efficient, green building.