Green Building in South Carolina

SC Green Building

Also see: SC Recycling Centers | Recycling for SC Businesses

What makes a building green? A green building consumes less energy, water, and natural resources. It creates less waste when built and is healthier for its inhabitants than a standard building.

On this page: SC Green Building Organizations | Renovate Green | Build Green

SC Green Building Sponsors

Dr. Energy Saver of Columbia
Columbia: 803-424-8380
Dr. Energy Saver Columbia offers home energy services such as: air sealing, insulation and radiant barrier installation, ductwork, HVAC, water heater, door and window replacement.

Feature Your SC Green Building Company Here

SC Green Building Organizations

Green Building Council of Greater Columbia - holds regular green building workshops to educate construction professionals
SC Energy Office - helps residential users save money on utility bills, a good resource for various state incentives for energy efficiency
South Carolina Solar Council - state chapter of the American Solar Energy Society
South Carolina Sustainability Network - examples of how people in South Carolina are embracing sustainability, also has informative resources and support
South Carolina Sustainable Deconstruction - deconstructs old buildings to keep waste from landfills
– Sustainable Warehouse - sells used construction materials
Sustainability Institute - educating SC homeowners looking to build or renovate by holding workshops on green building techniques
– SC Green Building Directory - South Carolina products and services that support green building practices
Upstate Forever - promoting economically, socially and environmentally sound growth in the Upstate
US Green Building Council SC Chapter - LEED certified buildings and green building practices in South Carolina
– Members - list of professionals involved in green buildings in SC
– LEED Accredited Professionals Directory - select South Carolina for State/US Territory/Canadian Province
– LEED Certified buildings in SC - case studies from the US Green Building Council of South Carolina

Renovate to Make Your Current Home Green

While some of the more glamorous green building techniques like solar power and wind energy garner plenty of attention, the basics of an airtight and well-insulated house reap real benefits for both your pocketbook and the environment. One of our favorite resources is 45 tips to green any home.

Interested in finding out where you can save energy in your home? Use the Home Energy Saver, an online tool that calculates your energy use and highlights savings opportunities within your home.

Take it one step further and use the Household Environmental Calculator to determine the footprints of your home and lifestyle. Completing the quick survey will generate your Low Impact Living Index and recommend projects that can save you money and reduce your environmental impact.

Plants, Green Landscaping in South Carolina

Rain barrel how-to - rain barrels catch rainwater from your gutters for use in watering your garden. One of the easiest ways to save water and money
SC Native Plants Society - find out which plants to grow for low-water and low-maintenance landscaping in South Carolina
SC Backyard Habitat Program - make your garden even more eco-friendly by welcoming animals
– SC native plants valuable to wildlife
– National Wildlife Federation Backyard Habitat Program
Ten common plants that help reduce indoor air pollution - NASA study of plants that remove formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide from the air
Urban Permaculture Institute of the Southeast - Walterboro
– Earth-Friendly Lifestyle Finds Sustenance Close to Home - 2008 Post & Courier article explores permaculture in a Lowcountry yard

Sealing and Insulating

Dr. Energy Saver of Columbia - specializes in air sealing, insulation and radiant barrier installation, ductwork, HVAC, water heater, and door and window replacement
Selecting energy-efficient windows in SC - PDF - technical info on window efficiency

How to Build or Buy a Green Home

When purchasing a new home, consider going with an energy-efficient house. Achieving a building standard (such as LEED or Energy Star) will not only save you money on your utilities bill, but will also add to the quality of the house, consequently adding to its value. The SC Energy Office provides this guide to understanding sustainable ratings and certifications in SC - PDF

Another important aspect to consider when building a green home is the use of local and regional materials as much as possible. The LEED certification process requires that all materials come from within a 500 miles radius from the building site. This is good news for South Carolina businesses, as the push to build green would benefit our state economy.

For more technical information on green building techniques, the Southface Institute in Atlanta has an extensive library of factsheets and technical bulletins that go into detail about each aspect of your home, and how to make them more sustainable. Most of their info is specific to the Southeast, so is useful to SC residents.