Glossary

Index

A

Active Solar Adapted Plants Adaptive reuse Agrifiber products Air-Conditioning Air-handling units (AHUs) Albedo Alternative daily cover Alternative Fuel Aquatic treatment systems Aquifer Architectural porous sealant Assembly Assembly recycled content Attendance boundary Automatic fixture sensors

B

Backdraft Barrel Baseline building performance Baseline irrigation water use Bicycle racks Bioaccumulate Biochemical oxygen demand Biodiesel Biodiversity Bioethanol Fuel Biofuel-based systems Biofuels Biogas Biological control Biomass Biosolids Black water British Thermal Unit (BTU) British Thermal Unit / Hour Brownfield Building Automation System Building Density Building footprint

C

Capture System Car Pooling Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Carbon Footprint Carbon Monoxide Carbon Trading Carrying Capacity CERCLA Chain-of-custody (COC) Chlorinated Fluorocarbons Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) Clean Fuel Vehicle Climate Change Cogeneration Combined Heat & Power (CHP) Commissioning Commissioning Cycle Commissioning Plan Commissioning Report Compact Fluorescent Lamp Composite wood Compost Composting toilet Compressed workweek Conditioned space Constructed wetland Construction and demolition (C&D) debris Construction IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) management plan Contaminants Conventional irrigation Cooling tower Curfew hours

D

Daylight-responsive lighting controls Daylighting Densely occupied space Design light output Development footprint Diesel fuel Direct energy conversion District energy system Drip irrigation Dry deposition Durable goods Durable goods waste stream

E

Ecological footprint Ecological restoration Ecologically appropriate site features Ecosystem Elemental mercury Embodied energy Emissions reduction Energy Energy audit Energy conservation Energy efficiency Energy Factor ENERGY STAR Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Ethanol Ethanol fuel Eutrophication Evapotranspiration Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

F

Farm-to-Table First-Hour Rating Food Desert Food security Foodshed Footcandle (fc) Fossil fuels Fuel cell Fully shielded light fixture

G

Gallons per capita Gallons per minute Garden Share Gasohol Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Geothermal energy Geothermal heating systems Global climate change Gray water Green Infrastructure Greenfields Greenhouse effect Greenhouse gas Greenprinting

H

Halons Hardscape Heat island effect Hybrid vehicles Hydro energy Hydrochlorofluorocarbons Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) Hydropower

I

Impervious surface Indoor Air Quality Integrated pest management Integrated solid waste management Invasive plants

J

no entries for this letter yet

K

no entries for this letter yet

L

Lamp Lamp recycling Landfills Landscape area LEED LEED project boundary Life-cycle costing Light pollution Local zoning requirements Low density development Low Impact Development (LID) Lumen

M

Metering controls Mixed-mode ventilation Mixed-use Municipal solid waste (MSW)

N

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Native (or indigenous) plants Net-zero (positive impact) practices Non-point source pollution Nonwater toilet Nonwater urinal

O

Off-gassing Open-grid pavement Ozone (O3)

P

Parking footprint Passive solar Pedestrian access Permeable surface Perviousness Photovoltaic (PV) energy Porous materials Porous pavement Positive impact (net-zero) practices Postconsumer material Postconsumer recycled content Potable water Preconsumer recycled content Proposed building performance

Q

no entries for this letter yet

R

Rapidly renewable materials Receptacle (or plug) load Reclaimed water Recycling Regionally extracted materials Regionally manufactured materials Remediation Renewable energy Retention ponds Retrofit Ridesharing

S

Second harvest Sensors Service Learning Site energy Sky glow Solar fraction Solar reflectance Solar thermal systems Stakeholder Stormwater runoff Stream channel Superfund Sustainable purchasing policy

T

Take-back laws Tankless heater Telecommuting Temperature rise Thermal mass Tipping fees

U

no entries for this letter yet

V

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) Volunteerism

W

Waste diversion Waste stream Wastewater Water meter Waterless urinals Watershed Wave and tidal power Weatherization Wildlife corridor Wind energy

X

Xeriscaping

Y

no entries for this letter yet

Z

no entries for this letter yet

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Terms and Definitions

2-year, 24-hour design storm

A nationally accepted standard that represents the statistical amount of rainfall expected over a 24-hour period during a 2-year interval. This rate is the basis for planning and designing stormwater management facilities and Best Management Practices.

Active Solar

Systems utilizing mechanical or electrical devices to transform solar radiation into usable energy or transport that energy within a building.

Adapted Plants

Also known as "introduced plants." They grow reliably well in a given habitat with minimal winter protection, pest control, fertilization, or irrigation once their root systems are established. Adapted plants are considered low maintenance and not invasive.

Adaptive reuse

The renovation of a space for a purpose different from the original.

Agrifiber products

Goods made from agricultural fiber. Examples include particleboard, medium density fiberboard (MDF), plywood, oriented-strand board (OSB), wheat board, and strawboard.

Air-Conditioning

The process of treating air to control its temperature, humidity, cleanliness, and distribution.

Air-handling units (AHUs)

Mechanical indirect heating, ventilating, or air-conditioning systems in which the air is treated or handled by equipment located outside the rooms served, usually at a central location, and conveyed to and from the rooms by a fan and a system of distributing ducts.

Albedo

A measure of a material's ability to reject solar heat, as shown by a small temperature rise. Synonymous with SOLAR REFLECTANCE.

Alternative daily cover

Material (other than earth) that is placed on the surface of an active solid waste landfill at the end of each operating day to control fires, odors, blowing litter, and scavenging.

Alternative Fuel

Although a popular term, the specific definition varies among states. Generally speaking, alternative fuel is any substance that can be used as fuel that is not petroleum based, i.e. gasoline, diesel, coal, propane, or kerosene. Alternative fuel is typically derived from BIOMASS material or natural gas. The term is also applied to petroleum-based fuels that have been mixed with some percentage of alternative fuel. Common types of alternative fuels include solar, vegetable oil, alcohol, hydrogen, compressed air, and electricity.

Aquatic treatment systems

Ecologically designed treatment systems in which a diverse community of biological organisms (e.g., bacteria, plants, fish) treat wastewater.

Aquifer

An underground water-bearing rock formation that supply groundwater, wells, or springs.

Architectural porous sealant

A substance used as a sealant on porous materials.

Assembly

Either a product formulated from multiple materials (e.g., concrete) or a product made up of subcomponents (e.g., a workstation).

Assembly recycled content

The percentage of material in a product that is either post-consumer or pre-consumer recycled content. It is determined by dividing the weight of the recycled content by the overall weight of the assembly.

Attendance boundary

A term used by school districts to determine which students attend what school based on where they live.

Automatic fixture sensors

Motion detectors that automatically turn on and turn off fixtures, such as those found on sinks, toilets, and urinals. Sensors can be hard wired or battery operated.

Backdraft

A dangerous condition where pressure differentials within a building pull exhaust gases out of their pipes and into the building. These gases are often poisonous.

Barrel

A common measure of petroleum. One barrel equals 42 U.S. gallons and has enough energy to power an average car for 700 miles at 18 miles per gallon. A barrel of oil contains approximately 6 million British thermal Units (BTUs).

Baseline building performance

The annual energy cost or energy performance for a building. This measure is used as a starting point for rating above standard design or other building energy targets.

Baseline irrigation water use

The amount of water used by conventional irrigation in a defined geographic area. This measure is used as a starting point for rating above standard design or other water use targets.

Bicycle racks

Structures designed to provide secure parking for bicycles. Includes outdoor bicycle racks, bicycle lockers, and indoor bicycle storage rooms.

Bioaccumulate

Substances that when taken into the body through contaminated food, water or air slowly accumulate in body tissues or fat because the substances are slow to breakdown or excreted.

Biochemical oxygen demand

A measure of how fast biological organisms use up oxygen in a body of water. It is used in water quality management and assessment, ecology, and environmental science.

Biodiesel

A derivative of oils or fats that is used as transportation fuel. It is biodegradable and can be used as a replacement for or as a component of diesel fuel. See also BIOFUELS.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in all forms, levels, and combinations, including ecosystem diversity, species diversity, and genetic diversity.

Bioethanol Fuel

Pure ethanol is alcohol, similar to what is found in alcoholic drinks. It is derived from the fermentation of plant materials (such as corn). It can be used as a pure fuel but is more popularly combined with gasoline. Same as ETHANOL. See also BIOFUELS.

Biofuel-based systems

Power systems that run on renewable fuels derived from organic materials, such as wood by-products and agricultural waste. Examples of biofuels include untreated wood waste, agricultural crops and residues, animal waste, other organic waste, and landfill gas.

Biofuels

Fuel produced from biological RENEWABLE RESOURCES such as plants, vegetable oils, and treated waste. Biofuels can significantly lessen harmful carbon monoxide emissions and reduce air pollution when added to petroleum-based fuels. See ETHANOL, BIOETHANOL, BIODIESEL, BIOGAS.

Biogas

A fuel that is produced from the mixture of two gases - methane and carbon dioxide. The gases are themselves the product of the bacterial decomposition of organic matter such as sewage and municipal wastes. Especially popular as a fuel in the generation of hot water and electricity. See also BIOFUELS.

Biological control

The use of chemical or physical water treatments to inhibit bacterial growth in cooling towers.

Biomass

Plant or animal byproduct material that can be converted to produce energy (electricity, fuel, etc). Typically, the biomass is burned or chemically processed to produce energy.

Biosolids

By product of sewage treatment. When properly treated and disinfected may be re-utilized as fertilizer in carefully controlled situations.

Black water

Wastewater from toilets and urinals. Some state and local codes define black water to also include wastewater from kitchen, showers, or bathtubs. See also GRAY WATER.

British Thermal Unit (BTU)

A unit of energy measurement. It is the heat needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. One Kilowatt = 3412.14 BTU.

British Thermal Unit / Hour

Air conditioner cooling capacity is often measured in either BTUH or tons. 1 ton = 12,000 BTUH.

Brownfield

Abandoned and idle industrial and commercial sites in cities and other urban areas sometimes characterized by environmental degradation and contamination.

Building Automation System

Computer-based monitoring system used to coordinate, organize, and optimize building control subsystems, including lighting, equipment scheduling, and alarm reporting.

Building Density

The floor area of the building divided by the total area of the site (square feet per acre).

Building footprint

The area on a project site used by actual building structures, defined by the perimeter of the building plan. Parking lots, landscapes, and other non-building facilities are not included in the building footprint.

Capture System

Indicates any mechanical system intended to capture a resource. Most frequently indicated for rainwater where the water is used for a non-potable use in a building.

Car Pooling

A method of transportation where people will collaborate on their driving needs in order to reduce the number of cars on the roads. An example of car pooling is co-workers who live near each other driving to work together.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

An odorless, colorless, non-poisonous gas that is naturally occurring in the air and exhaled by humans and animals. Commonly referred to by its chemical structure -- CO2 -- it is absorbed by green plants which produce oxygen as a byproduct. Concentrations greater than 530 ppm (parts per million) above outdoor CO2 conditions generally indicate inadequate ventilation. Concentrations greater than 800 to 1,000 ppm generally indicate poor air quality for breathing. Although naturally occurring, carbon dioxide is a GREENHOUSE GAS. Carbon dioxide should not be confused with CARBON MONOXIDE. See also GREENHOUSE GAS.

Carbon Footprint

The related carbon generated from any given activity. For example: one mile of driving an average compact vehicle generates .6 pounds of carbon from the burning of gas. This does not count the embodied energy of the manufacture, maintenance and disposal of the car and nor the construction of the road and its maintenance.

Carbon Monoxide

An odorless, colorless, highly poisonous gas that is produced as the result of the incomplete combustion of carbon, e.g. the burning of gasoline in automotive engines.

Carbon Trading

The trading of credits related to a target carbon output established by a government or other entity. An entity with surplus credit may sell their credit to an entity that emits more than its allotment.

Carrying Capacity

The measurement of the capacity of an ecological system can support before the system begins to fail. Best studied on islands where inputs of sustenance are limited. Examples include studies of reindeer populations in Scandinavia.

CERCLA

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 is the U.S. Federal law that authorizes EPA to cleanup uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites and respond to accidents, spills and other emergency releases of hazardous substances. Also known as Superfund, the program activities include establishing the National Priorities List, investigating sites for inclusion on the list, determining their priority, and conducting and/or supervising cleanup and other remedial actions. CERCLA established a comprehensive liability scheme that authorizes the government to hold identified categories of parties liable to conduct and/or pay for cleanup of releases of hazardous substances, pollutants and contaminants.

Chain-of-custody (COC)

A method for tracking a product from its source (point of harvest or extraction) to its end use, including all successive stages of processing, transformation, manufacturing, and distribution. Increasingly, industries are also applying Chain-of-custody certification to ensure that companies (e.g. paper) have met stringent auditing guidelines documenting all stages of product flow.

Chlorinated Fluorocarbons

A group of chemicals that have been used as solvents, refrigerator coolants, and in the production of foam. CFCs have been linked with the depletion of ozone in the atmosphere, and as such are several thousand times more potent as a GREENHOUSE GAS than CARBON DIOXIDE. See also CFC, CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS, and GREENHOUSE GAS.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC)

Clean Fuel Vehicle

Vehicles that use clean-burning fuels and that produce low emissions.

Climate Change

A term used for significant changes over an extended period of time in the Earth's natural environments. Climate change can be produced by natural processes (e.g. changes in the Earth's orbit) or by the impact of human behavior (e.g. deforestation). See GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE.

Cogeneration

A method of simultaneously producing and using electricity and heat. See COMBINED HEAT & POWER.

Combined Heat & Power (CHP)

The term applied to various methods of producing both electric power and heat from a single source. Often, CHP captures and uses the heat that is produced as a byproduct of energy processes. CHP's extreme efficiency -- 50 to 80 percent more than traditional methods that separate heat and power -- produces fewer pollutants and CARBON DIOXIDE. See also COGENERATION.

Commissioning

The process of verifying and documenting that a building and all of its systems and assemblies are planned, designed, installed, tested, operated, and maintained to meet predetermined energy requirements.

Commissioning Cycle

The schedule of activities related to existing building commissioning, including the investigation and analysis, implementation, and ongoing commissioning.

Commissioning Plan

The document that outlines the organization, schedule, allocation of resources, and documentation requirements of the commissioning process.

Commissioning Report

Documents the commissioning process, including a commissioning program overview, identification of the commissioning team, and description of the commissioning process activities.

Compact Fluorescent Lamp

An alternative lighting source to traditional incandescent light bulbs. CFL's use about 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs, and have a longer lifespan. CFL's are also Energy Star qualified.

Composite wood

Wood or plant particles or fibers bonded by a synthetic resin or binder. Examples include particleboard, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), plywood, oriented-strand board (OSB), wheatboard, and strawboard.

Compost

A mixture of decayed plants and other organic material that is used to enrich soil with nutrients.

Composting toilet

Contains and treats human waste via microbiological processes on site rather than sending it to an offsite treatment facility. See NONWATER TOILET.

Compressed workweek

Rearranges the standard workweek (5 consecutive 8-hour days) by increasing the daily hours and decreasing the number of days in the work cycle. For example, instead of working 8-hour days Monday through Friday, employees work 10-hour days for 4 days per week, or 9-hour days for 9 of 10 consecutive days.

Conditioned space

The part of a building that is heated or cooled, or both, for the comfort of occupants.

Constructed wetland

An engineered man-made system designed to simulate natural wetland functions for water purification purposes.

Construction and demolition (C&D) debris

Waste and recyclables generated from construction and from the renovation, demolition, or deconstruction of preexisting structures. It does not include land-clearing debris, such as soil, vegetation, and rocks.

Construction IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) management plan

This plan outlines measures to minimize air-borne contamination in a specific project building during construction and describes procedures to flush the building of air-borne contaminants prior to occupancy.

Contaminants

Unwanted elements that may reduce the quality of natural systems (air, water, land).

Conventional irrigation

A conventional irrigation system commonly uses pressure to deliver water and distributes it through sprinkler heads above the ground.

Cooling tower

It uses water to absorb heat from air-conditioning systems and to regulate air temperature in a facility.

Curfew hours

Pre-determined times when lighting restrictions are imposed. When no local or regional restrictions are in place, 10:00 p.m. is regarded as a default curfew time. Useful for regulating lighting in commercial buildings.

Daylight-responsive lighting controls

Includes photosensors used in conjunction with other switching and dimming devices to control the amount of artificial lighting in relationship to the amount and quality of natural daylight.

Daylighting

The controlled admission of natural light into a space, used to reduce or eliminate electric lighting.

Densely occupied space

An area with an intended occupant density of 25 people or more per 1,000 square feet (40 square feet or less per person).

Design light output

The light output of lamps at 40% of their useful life.

Development footprint

The area affected by development or by project site activity. Hardscape, access roads, parking lots, non-building facilities, and buildings themselves are all included in the development footprint.

Diesel fuel

A petroleum-based fuel used in diesel engines which rely on highly compressed air to ignite the fuel rather than an electric spark.

Direct energy conversion

The method of producing electricity directly from an energy source, without mechanical or moving parts. The electricity thus produced is in the form of a direct current. For example, solar panels transform light directly into electricity.

District energy system

A central energy conversion plant and transmission and distribution system that provides thermal energy to a group of buildings (e.g., a central cooling plant on a university campus). Central energy systems that provide only electricity are not included.

Drip irrigation

A high-efficiency method of irrigation that distributes water to the soil under low pressure through a network of perforated tube or emitters. Delivers water at low pressure through buried mains and submains.

Dry deposition

The accumulation of both particles and gases as they come into contact with soil, water or vegetation on the earth's surfaces.

Durable goods

Have a useful life of 2 years or more and are replaced infrequently or may require capital program expenditures. Examples include furniture, office equipment, appliances, external power adapters, televisions, and audiovisual equipment.

Durable goods waste stream

Consists of durable goods that are fully depreciated and have reached the end of their useful lives for normal business operations.

Ecological footprint

The relative measurement of humans impact on world ecosystems. In 2005 the UN calculated that the earth human population is consuming 1.3 earths worth of resources.

Ecological restoration

The process of recovering and managing natural systems in order to regain and to preserve ecological integrity including biodiversity, ecological processes and structures.

Ecologically appropriate site features

Natural site elements that maintain or restore the ecological integrity of the site. Examples include native or adapted vegetation, water bodies, exposed rock and other features that provide habitat value and are part of the historic natural landscape.

Ecosystem

A basic unit of nature that includes a community of biological organisms and their nonliving environment linked by biological, chemical, and physical processes.

Elemental mercury

Pure mercury (rather than a mercury-containing compound), the vapor of which is commonly used in fluorescent and other lamp types.

Embodied energy

The energy used during the entire life cycle of a product, including its manufacture, transportation, and disposal, as well as the inherent energy captured within the product itself.

Emissions reduction

The calculation, tracking, documentation and actions that lessen the greenhouse gas emissions that result directly from energy use and other operations of a building or vehicle.

Energy

The ability or potential of a physical body to do work. The most common forms of energy are heat, light, mechanical (moving parts), and electrical.

Energy audit

Identifies how much energy a building uses and the purposes for which it is used, and identifies efficiency and cost-reduction opportunities.

Energy conservation

Reduction in, or elimination of, the use of natural and other energy resources. Also includes installations or modifications of equipment or systems intended to reduce energy use and costs.

Energy efficiency

Energy efficiency is the process of using less energy to produce the same or increased functions. Often used mistakenly as a synonym for ENERGY CONSERVATION.

Energy Factor

The ratio of useful energy output from the water heater to the total amount of energy delivered to the water heater. The higher the EF is, the more efficient the water heater.

ENERGY STAR

A measure of a building's or product's energy performance compared with that of similar buildings or products, as determined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency / U.S. Department of Energy's ENERGY STAR� Portfolio Manager.

Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP)

Gives purchasing preference to products that have little to no negative impact on the environment throughout their life cycle, and to the companies that supply them. See also SUSTAINABLE PURCHASING POLICY.

Ethanol

A liquid produced from the chemical fermentation of sugars in plant materials. The liquid is consumed in alcoholic drinks, used as fuel, and added to gasoline as a fuel enhancer.

Ethanol fuel

Eutrophication

The increase in chemical nutrients in an ecosystem, typically from excessive levels of phosphorous and nitrogen in fertilizers. The added nutrients give rise to excessive plant growth, promoting algal blooms or weeds. The enhanced plant growth reduces oxygen in the land and water, reducing water quality, and fish and other animal populations.

Evapotranspiration

The loss of water by evaporation from the soil and by release from plants. It is expressed in millimeters per unit of time.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

Mandates for manufacturer to dispose of product and packaging at the end of their useful life. See also TAKE-BACK LAWS.

Farm-to-Table

Also referred to as "farm-to-fork," this concept summarizes the stages involved from food production to the consumer such as: harvesting, storage, processing, packaging, sales, and consumption. Typically used in reference to foods produced and consumed locally.

First-Hour Rating

The amount of hot water in gallons a storage water heater can supply per hour (starting with a tank full of hot water).

Food Desert

Urban neighborhoods and/or rural towns lacking ready access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food.

Food security

Refers to physical and economical availability and access to sufficient, safe, nutritious food to meet one's dietary needs as well as food preferences.

Foodshed

Term for the geographical location of the supply of food, including land of production to place of consumption

Footcandle (fc)

The amount of light falling on a 1-square-foot area from a 1 candela light source at a distance of 1 foot (which equals 1 lumen per square foot). See also LUMENS.

Fossil fuels

Fuel formed from geological processes acting on the remains of living organisms. Typically refers to oil, coal, natural gas or their by-products.

Fuel cell

A device that combines hydrogen and oxygen electrochemically to produce electricity, with water and heat as its by-product. The process is clean, quiet and at least twice as efficient as fuel burning. Unlike conventional electrical cells, the key ingredients for fuel cells are not contained within the cell but are supplied from outside.

Fully shielded light fixture

A light fixture with a shield, the lower edge of which is at or below the lowest edge of the lamp (bulb), such that all light shines down.

Gallons per capita

An expression of the average rate of domestic and commercial water demand, usually computed for public water supply systems.

Gallons per minute

Gallons per Minute is the amount of hot water in gallons a tankless water heater can supply per minute over a 77�F temperature rise.

Garden Share

A strategy of increasing land available for food production by matching individuals interested in small-scale gardening with homeowners that may have available but unused gardening space. These are typically voluntary agreements between residents however some community non-profits are emerging to facilitate the matching process and offer guidance for effective agreements.

Gasohol

Gasoline that contains 10 percent ETHANOL by volume. Also referred to as E10, Super Unleaded Plus Ethanol, or Unleaded Plus. See ETHANOL.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

A computer-based system for capture, storage, retrieval, analysis and display of spatial (locationally defined) data.

Geothermal energy

"Geo" refers to the earth and "thermal" refers to heat. Geothermal is energy produced from the natural heat contained in the Earth's crust. Geothermal energy is often experienced as hot springs, volcanic lava, etc. Geothermal energy systems accesses this natural heat through pipes and uses it to drive turbines or heat water and steam that can warm buildings.

Geothermal heating systems

Systems that use pipes to transfer heat to or from the earth for heating, cooling. The system retrieves heat from below ground during cool months and returns heat underground in summer months.

Global climate change

Gray water

Untreated household waste water which has not come into contact with toilet waste. Some state and local codes define gray water to also include wastewater from kitchen, showers, or bathtubs. See also BLACK WATER.

Green Infrastructure

The system of land, natural resources, and natural habitats that collectively comprise a community's underlying ecosystem. Green Infrastructure is present in every city, although its size, diversity, and strength vary greatly. Importantly, green infrastructure can be used to help offset negative environmental impacts, for example stormwater runoff and urban heat island effect.

Greenfields

Sites not previously developed that can support open space, habitat, or agriculture.

Greenhouse effect

Similar to a built greenhouse, the Earth's atmosphere serves to seal in light, heat, and gases. GREENHOUSE GASES trap heat that would normally escape into space. This trapping of heat is known as the greenhouse effect and a certain amount of the greenhouse effect is crucial for life on the planet. However, high levels of greenhouse gases trap too much heat, resulting in higher temperatures and negative impacts on our biological systems. See CLIMATE CHANGE, GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE and GREENHOUSE GASES.

Greenhouse gas

Greenhouse gases are a part of the Earth's atmosphere and are both naturally occurring and the result of human chemical processes. The most common greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, and chlorofluourocarbons. These gases trap heat and thus contribute to the warming of the planet. See also CFCS and GREENHOUSE EFFECT.

Greenprinting

A smart growth strategy that emphasizes land conservation to ensure quality of life, clean air and water, recreation and economic health.

Halons

Substances used in fire-suppression systems and fire extinguishers but which harm the stratospheric ozone layer.

Hardscape

The inanimate elements of the building landscaping. Examples include pavement, roadways, stone walls, concrete paths and sidewalks, and concrete.

Heat island effect

The absorption of heat by dark, non-reflective hardscapes (including pavement and buildings) and its radiation to surrounding areas. A problem in urban areas, the effect is exacerbated by vehicle exhaust, air-conditioners, and street equipment.

Hybrid vehicles

Currently, these are vehicles that use a gasoline engine to drive an electric generator which in turn powers electric motors that drive the vehicle's wheels.

Hydro energy

Electricity produced from the downhill flow of water from rivers or lakes. Aka HYDROPOWER.

Hydrochlorofluorocarbons

Refrigerants that cause significantly less depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer than chlorofluorocarbons. See CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS.

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC)

Refrigerants that do not deplete the stratospheric ozone layer but which may have high global warming potential.

Hydropower

Electricity produced from the downhill flow of water from rivers or lakes. Aka HYDRO ENERGY.

Impervious surface

Surface material that absorbs less than 50% and therefore promotes runoff of water instead of absorption into the subsurface.

Indoor Air Quality

The quality of air inside a building space that affects the health and wellbeing of building occupants.

Integrated pest management

A method of controlling pests through the coordinated use of knowledge about pests, the environment, and pest prevention and control methods to minimize hazards to people, property, and the environment.

Integrated solid waste management

The management of solid waste whereby a systemic approach ensures reduction, reuse, and recycling to the greatest extent practical.

Invasive plants

Plants that are not native to a local ecosystem, are very adaptable and aggressive, have a high reproductive capacity, and tend to overrun the ecosystems they enter. Collectively, they are among the greatest threats to biodiversity and ecosystem stability.

Lamp

The bulb or tube portion of an electric lighting device.

Lamp recycling

The recycling of the components of a lamp with particular attention paid to the recovery of hazardous substances such as mercury.

Landfills

Waste disposal sites for solid waste from human activities.

Landscape area

The total site area minus the building footprint, paved surfaces, water bodies, and patios.

LEED

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a building rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to measure energy efficiency. It provides a standard for environmentally sustainable construction.

LEED project boundary

The portion of a project site submitted for LEED certification.

Life-cycle costing

An accounting method used to evaluate the cost of a product or system measured over its useful life. It considers operating costs, maintenance expenses, and other economic factors.

Light pollution

Waste light that produces glare, is directed upward to the sky, or is directed off the site. Waste light does not increase nighttime safety, utility, or security and needlessly consumes energy.

Local zoning requirements

Local government regulations imposed to promote orderly development of private lands and to prevent land-use conflicts.

Low density development

Patterns of human settlements commonly called sprawl. Generally a post WWII occurrence linked to demographic shifts and substantial subsidies from government.

Low Impact Development (LID)

An approach to land planning and design that works with nature to manage and treat stormwater as close to the source as possible; incorporates strategies such as preserving natural landscape features and minimizing effective imperviousness in an effort to treat runoff to mimic pre-development hydrology.

Lumen

A measure of the power of light.

Metering controls

Mechanisms that limit the use of energy or water. They are generally manual-on and automatic-off devices, most commonly installed on lavatory faucets, showers, and lighting in low-use areas.

Mixed-mode ventilation

Combines mechanical and natural ventilation methods.

Mixed-use

A term typically applied to real estate development projects that combine residential and commercial or retail components.

Municipal solid waste (MSW)

Trash or garbage generated from a municipalities citizens and businesses.

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)

A federal government permit program that controls water pollution by regulating point sources of pollutants. Industrial, municipal, and other facilities must obtain permits if their discharges go directly to surface waters.

Native (or indigenous) plants

Plants that adapted to a given area during a defined time period and are not invasive. In North America, the term often refers to plants growing in a region prior to the time of settlement by people of European descent. See INVASIVE PLANTS.

Net-zero (positive impact) practices

Generally related to energy but also the measurement of the impacts of a system upon another system. For example a building may be a Net-zero electricity consumer or a water treatment system may return water to a stream cleaner than the water it removes.

Non-point source pollution

Refers to pollution of water from uncontrolled and undocumented location. For example fertilizer that runs off an improperly treated lawn contaminating a stream.

Nonwater toilet

Contains and treats human waste via microbiological processes on site rather than sending it to an offsite treatment facility. See COMPOST TOILET.

Nonwater urinal

A urinal that replaces the water flush with a layer of liquid material that floats above the urine thus blocking sewer gas and odors.

Off-gassing

The emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from synthetic and natural products. Paints and sealants are typical off-gassing sources in buildings.

Open-grid pavement

Pavement materials that allow more than 50% of water absorption and allow vegetation to grow in the open cells.

Ozone (O3)

A gas composed of 3 oxygen atoms. It is not usually emitted directly into the air, but at ground-level it is created by a chemical reaction between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight. Ozone has the same chemical structure whether it occurs in the atmosphere or at ground level and can have positive or negative effects, depending on its location.

Parking footprint

The area of a building site occupied by the parking areas and structures.

Passive solar

Design system that uses building and site features to absorb and store (or protect from) energy from the sun during the day and slowly release it during the cooler evening.

Pedestrian access

Allows people to walk to services without being blocked by walls, streets, freeways, or other barriers.

Permeable surface

Allows more than 50% absorption of water.

Perviousness

The percentage of a surface area that is open and allows moisture to soak into the ground below.

Photovoltaic (PV) energy

Sunlight that is converted directly into electricity.

Porous materials

Materials that have tiny openings, often microscopic, that can absorb or discharge fluids.

Porous pavement

Allows water to infiltrate into the ground. See PERMEABLE SURFACE.

Positive impact (net-zero) practices

Postconsumer material

Product that is produced from the recycling of consumer waste.

Postconsumer recycled content

The percentage of material in a product that is recycled from consumer (end-user) waste.

Potable water

Water that meets or exceeds the EPA's drinking water quality standards and is approved for human consumption by the state or local jurisdictions.

Preconsumer recycled content

The percentage of material in a product that is recycled from manufacturing waste.

Proposed building performance

The annual energy cost calculated for a proposed building design, as defined in ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1 - 2007, Appendix G.

Rapidly renewable materials

Agricultural products, both plant and animal, that take 10 years or less to grow or raise and that can be harvested in a sustainable fashion.

Receptacle (or plug) load

The electrical current drawn by all equipment that is plugged into the electrical system.

Reclaimed water

Wastewater that has been treated and purified for reuse.

Recycling

The collection, reprocessing, marketing, and use of materials that were diverted or recovered from the solid waste stream.

Regionally extracted materials

Raw materials taken from within a 500-mile radius of the project site.

Regionally manufactured materials

Materials that are assembled as finished products within a 500-mile radius of the project site. Assembly does not include on-site assembly, erection, or installation of finished components.

Remediation

The process of cleaning up a contaminants by physical, chemical, or biological means.

Renewable energy

Energy that comes from sources that are not depleted by use. Examples include energy from the sun, wind, and small (low-impact) hydropower, plus geothermal energy and wave and tidal systems.

Retention ponds

Capture storm water runoff and clear it of pollutants before its release. Some ponds are dry except during storm events; others permanently store water.

Retrofit

Any change to an existing facility, such as the adjustment, connection, or disconnection of equipment.

Ridesharing

Second harvest

Organizations that collect, store and distribute surplus food.

Sensors

Devices that can detect environmental changes and that communicate this change to a control system.

Service Learning

A teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities.

Site energy

The amount of heat and electricity consumed by a building, as reflected in utility bills.

Sky glow

Caused by stray light from unshielded light sources and light reflecting off surfaces that then enter the atmosphere and illuminate and reflect off dust, debris, and water vapor. Sky glow can significantly limit observation of the night sky, compromise astronomical research, and adversely affect nocturnal environments.

Solar fraction

Portion of a buildings water heating load provided by solar energy.

Solar reflectance

A measure of a material's ability to reject, or reflect, solar heat, as shown by a small temperature rise. Synonymous with ALBEDO.

Solar thermal systems

Uses solar collectors to collect sunlight which is used to heat water that is then circulated to the building's hot water tank. Solar thermal systems can be used to warm swimming pools or heat water for residential and commercial use.

Stakeholder

Any party with an interest in an initiative.

Stormwater runoff

Water from precipitation that flows over nonporous surfaces into sewer systems or receiving water bodies.

Stream channel

That portion of a stream where water regularly flows. Generally not when flooded but above baseflow.

Superfund

Sustainable purchasing policy

Gives purchasing preference to products that have little to no negative impact on the environment throughout their life cycle, and to the companies that supply them. See also ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERABLE PURCHASING.

Take-back laws

Mandates for manufacturer to dispose of product and packaging at the end of their useful life. See also EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY.

Tankless heater

Heats water only when it is needed and applies only the amount of heat required to satisfy the immediate need.

Telecommuting

Working by using telecommunications and computer technology from a location other than the usual or traditional place of business.

Temperature rise

The difference between the temperature of the hot water exiting the heater and the cold water entering the heater. If you want a shower of 110�F and you live in south Florida with groundwater at 70�F, then that is a 40�F temperature rise (110-70=40).

Thermal mass

The measurement of a material's ability to store and retain energy.

Tipping fees

Charged by a landfill for disposal of waste, typically quoted per ton.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

Compounds that vaporize (become a gas) at normal room temperatures. See OFF GASSING.

Volunteerism

A societal responsibility to join in, to give of one's time to assist or aid others without compensation.

Waste diversion

The disposal of waste other than through incineration or the use of landfills. Examples include reuse and recycling.

Waste stream

The overall flow of waste from consumers to a landfill, incinerator, or other disposal site.

Wastewater

The used water from a home, community, farm, or industry that contains dissolved or suspended matter. Not fit for human consumption.

Water meter

Measures the volume of water usage, typically cold potable water.

Waterless urinals

A urinal that replaces the water flush with a layer of liquid material that floats above the urine thus blocking sewer gas and odors.

Watershed

An area of land which contributes overland flow of rainfall to a particular body of water. For example the Mississippi watershed stretches from the Rocky to the Appalachian Mountains.

Wave and tidal power

The energy from waves and the daily movement of ocean tides, respectively. The captured energy is commonly used for desalination, water pumping, and electricity generation.

Weatherization

The practice of protecting a building and its interior from the elements, particularly from sunlight, precipitation, and wind, and of modifying a building to reduce energy consumption and optimize energy efficiency. Also known as weatherproofing.

Wildlife corridor

Relatively narrow areas of a particular habitat that serve as links between larger ecosystems, these allow for natural movement of species and promotes biodiversity.

Wind energy

Electricity generated by wind turbines.

Xeriscaping

A landscaping method that relies on drought-adaptable plants as well as soil amendments (mulching, etc.) to reduce or eliminate routine irrigation.

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