The Role of Electrical Systems in Green Building

In an effort to reduce the harmful emissions of greenhouse gases and save precious resources, many contractors have turned to green building. Without a greener electrical system, however, a green building would be incomplete.

Currently, a little over 40 percent of the credit points needed for a building to achieve LEED certification comes from a building’s electrical system. With than in mind, electrical contractors and the systems they create play the greatest role in a building’s sustainability.

“At [the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA)], we say that without energy solutions there is no green building,” says Lara Schwicht Richards, manager, marketing projects, for NECA, located in Bethesda, Md. “That’s because in modern construction, a building’s electrical and mechanical systems make up much of its actual content.”

In order to assist people and businesses in attaining green building goals, NECA supports a three-pronged approach for developing sustainable systems:

Energy conservation
“[In using electricity] a lot of waste is involved, and the less electricity we can use the better,” says Jim DeVor, owner of Greenwave Solutions, an electrical company specializing in installations and electrical efficiency throughout San Luis Obispo County in California.

DeVor suggests creating foolproof systems that automatically conserve energy. Employing the use of dimmers, timers and motion sensors ensures only the amount of electricity actually needed is used.

Occupancy sensors periodically scan a room for movement and keep lights off until someone enters. DeVor recommends these sensors for rooms where many typically forget to shut off the lights such as the restroom. He also recommends installing door switches in all closets and pantries. These switches are installed in the door jambs so the light turns on when the door is opened and shuts off once it’s closed.

“Clients will love the convenience of not having a light switch to deal with, especially with an armful of groceries or clothes,” he says.

For the exterior, DeVor recommends installing photocell-powered fixtures that measure ambient lighting.

“Even if the light is switched on, lights won’t come on if there’s enough light in the air to touch the photocell,” he says.

Energy efficiency
While much of the wiring used in green building is the same in a standard home, the power usage determines a system’s efficiency, says DeVor.

Choosing the most efficient lights and appliances is a major component of a green electrical system. DeVor recommends advising clients to select ENERGY STAR rated appliances since they often share the same high-end amenities as their non-rated counterparts, while costing much less to run annually.

“It’s going to work well and use less power,” he says. “Sometimes you pay a little more, but you’re getting a better product.”

In regards to lighting, DeVor recommends beginning with an electrical design plan. “Calculate how much lighting the home is going to use, and make sure you have enough lighting and outlets,” he says

He suggests using LED lighting rather than compact fluorescent bulbs throughout the home because they last longer, and come without the risk of mercury exposure should a bulb break.

Responsible energy production
Efficient appliances and fixtures are a great start towards a more sustainable electrical system; however, the type of power feeding into the wiring determines the system’s overall efficiency.

According to DeVor, grid-tie solar systems are a great option to offer your customers. With solar panels either on the home’s roof or standing alone on the property, a home is still connected to the utility’s power grid but disconnects as soon as enough solar power is generated, and reconnects as needed.

So just the right amount of solar power is generated, DeVor consults at least two years of past electric bills to determine a client’s usage and how many panels and wattage they may need.

While not as common among residential clients, other forms of green energy creation come from high-powered wind turbines and geothermal systems.

DeVor says wind turbines work better on a commercial scale since they are large and loud. And while geothermal systems are still a rarity, they are efficient in providing enough steam/hot water for radiant heating and power turbines for electricity.

Looking forward
According to Richards, now is the time for electrical contractors to jump into the green construction market.

“Energy solutions are a growing market for electrical contractors at a time when traditional construction work is declining,” she says. “Customers can look to electrical contractors to provide a total energy solution—integrating multiple technologies, when appropriate—for their building project rather than simply installing a single product.”

DeVor considers energy efficiency part of an electrical contractor’s job. “Inefficient systems are a waste of resources, and we’re responsible for showing our clients what will make their home energy efficient,” he says. “While [energy efficient] products may be more expensive, costs won’t come down unless more people use it.”