Green Building Factsheets

Austin Energy Green Building's™ Factsheets introduce green building ideas that can save time and money while keeping everyone, including our planet, healthy.

Air Filters
The air filter is an important part of your heating and cooling system and must be regularly cleaned or changed. Which air filter is best for you?

Austin's Climate
Information on Austin's climate and tips to work with, instead of against, our climate when designing a home in order to lower your air conditioning and heating costs.

Cabinets
Are your kitchen cabinets hazardous to your health? They could be: new cabinets can give off dangerous fumes.

Choosing a Green Building Professional
Looking for a green building professional? Learn how to find one, what to know before you begin your search, and what to ask once you've found one!

Concrete Floors
Concrete finish floors are good for your nose and your bottom line because they are an energy efficient and environmentally sound option for your home or business.

Cooling System
A home cooling system 101. Learn about sizing, thermostat settings, and maintenance.

Cool Roofing
Learn about how roofs work and the benefits of choosing a cool roof.

Deck Lumber Alternatives
Alternative lumber for use on outdoor decks has become popular for homes and businesses in the last few years.

Earth Building
Humans have been building homes from earth for thousands of years. In fact, half of us still live in some type of earth shelter. There are as many kinds of earth buildings as there are variations in soil and climate and cultural conditions.

Easy Green Building Ideas
Use these simple green building ideas to make your home healthier, more energy efficient, and easier to maintain.

Fly Ash Concrete
Fly ash is a by-product created by burning coal. It can be used to supplement, or to partially replace Portland cement in concrete. On average, 30% of the fly ash produced in the United States is recycled into concrete mixes.

Home Building in a Hot Climate
Find out how your home can compete with Austin's hot, humid climate.

Home Orientation for the Austin Area
How does the direction in which your home faces (particularly your windows) affect your comfort and heating and cooling costs?

Home Recycling
Find out about the real cost of materials, the recycling cycle, and the impacts of our garbage on the environment. This sheet also includes methods for storing and recycling hazardous and household materials.

Indoor Humidity
Humidity inside buildings in Central Texas is often too high for good health and comfort. It needs to be controlled.

Indoor Pollution Prevention
Pollution levels inside a building can be much higher than levels outside. One goal of green building is to make indoor environments healthy and safe by minimizing the impact of pollutants.

Insulated Concrete Forms
Learn about Insulated Concrete Forms and foundations, an energy-conscious substitute for wood framed walls.

Integrated Pest Management
Keep your home safe from bugs and poisonous pest control chemicals by understanding and practicing Integrated Pest Management.

Lawn Care for the Austin Area
Forty-five percent of the water consumed in Austin is used for outside summer watering. Using green principles in lawn care can make a significant impact on both our environment and our water bills. Green lawn care principles can aid in energy conservation and reduce the need for chemicals and fertilizers.

Lead Poisoning
Information on lead poisoning, including a list of ways to protect your child from lead and possible sources of lead around the home.

Lighting
The most efficient light is the one that's not on. Take advantage of Austin's sunny skies and abundance of daylight. It's free, and it's the most energy efficient way of illuminating a building. You can design room, window, and overhang proportions to reduce summer heat gain, promote winter warmth, and maximize light, while avoiding glare.

Low and No-VOC paints
Information on Low and No-VOC paints. VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are petroleum-based solvents that evaporate during a paint's application and drying process. They are responsible for contributing to the formation of smog and most of the odor associated with painting.

Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is an old idea that is popular again. Learn about different ways of collecting and using rainwater.

Sprawl
The Sierra Club's Sprawl: The Dark Side of the American Dream defines sprawl as "low density, automobile-dependent development beyond the edge of service and employment areas." Sprawl is a pattern of growth that began in America after World War II.

Straw Bale Construction
Straw bale construction uses baled straw (wheat, oats, barley, rye, and rice) in walls, covered by stucco. Stucco-covered straw bales offer a thick wall system which is durable, healthy, and fire and pest-resistant.

Structural Insulated Panels
Structural Insulated Panels can be substituted for wood framed walls, floors, and roof/ceilings when building an energy-conscious home.

Windows
There are so many kinds of windows available these days that choosing the best for your needs can be difficult. Here are some common questions about windows to help you make a smarter choice.