27 Things to demand on your next building project

1. Every project should be a Passive Solar design, orient to the sun and use passive cooling.
2. Double the minimum amount of insulation required.
3. Use No-VOC and Formaldehyde-Free Paint. Use Solvent-Free Adhesives.
4. Use Low VOC, Water-Based Wood Finishes.
5. Use certified wood or finger-jointed wood for all finish trim.
6. If you must use drywall, use recycled content drywall. Try other natural wall finishes.
7.. Replace up to 35% of the Portland Cement in the concrete with Fly Ash.
8. Avoid vinyl products. Alternatives include rubber, linoleum, Cork, etc.
9. Specify a light color roof in warm regions.
10. Avoid particle board cabinets and use formaldehyde-free medium density fiberboard, plywood or wheat board for cabinet boxes.
11. Consider bamboo, reclaimed or sustainably harvested wood, and wheatboard for cabinet doors
and drawers, and sealed with a no- or low-volatile organic compound clear finish.
12. On-demand hot water system rather than a whole house re-circulating hot water loop.
13. Any new toilets should be dual flush type.
14. Recycle Job Site Construction and Demolition Waste. Change your general demolition notes to salvage all removed doors and windows for possible salvage or reuse.
15. Use thermally  modified wood that does not contain Chromium, CCA or Arsenic for decking and sill plates.
16. Landscaping uses drip irrigation system to save water and indigenous plants.
17. Incorporate permeable paving at all driveways and exterior surfaces.
18. Reuse concrete form boards, or reusable slip forms.
19. Insulate foundation before backfill.
20. Substitute solid sawn lumber with engineered lumber.
21. Install a whole house water filter.
22. Provide conduit for future solar addition.
23. Provide dimmers on all light switches.
24. South and west facing walls to have a high thermal mass material.
25. All appliances to be high level EnergyStar models.
26. Include solar water heating.
27. On demand, tankless water heaters