City of Virginia Beach Pattern Book


can cause dizziness, headaches, nausea and even cancer, depending on the type of VOC. Most of the time, VOC-containing products are sitting on a shelf in an enclosed container or being used in a well- ventilated area. However, carpet adhesive can release a low-volume, yet steady stream of VOCs into your home environment long after it is first applied. These gasses produce that iconic “new-carpet-smell.”


• Low-VOC carpets utilize either no adhesives or adhesives that contain a lower proportion of VOCs.


• Choose carpets that are made of natural materials like sisal or wool or are made of recycled plastics.


• Forego adding stain repellants and treatments to your carpet as these often contain VOCs.


Energy Efficiency


The design of a home and the types of electrical systems present in a home set the bar for how much energy the home will require for daily use and maintenance. By replacing inefficient systems with energy- efficient ones,


you can significantly consumption even without making to your lifestyle.


Reducing household energy consumption not only helps preserve the environment, it also saves you money!


The great thing about energy efficiency upgrades is that they can be completed incrementally, one at a time, to fit your schedule and your budget. And some of these improvements cost nothing at all – just a little extra attention from you. Below is a list of things you can do to reduce household energy consumption.


Pattern Book Chapter 5: Specialty Design


• When shopping for new household appliances, choose Energy Star rated appliances information)


• Replace traditional


(visit www.energystar.gov for more (incandescent) light-bulbs with energy-


saving compact fluorescent (CFL) or light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs.


• Be comfortable, but also be frugal about where you set your thermostat (not too cool in the summer; not too warm in the winter).


• Unplug appliances that you do not frequently use. Even when appliances are switched off, electrical outlets.


they still draw current from


• Choose HVAC systems that are efficient and appropriately sized for your home.


• Install a tank-less water heating system. • Install solar, wind or other green-power systems.


reduce household energy changes


• Insulate Your Home. All of the home-insulation improvements listed below should help maintain a consistent temperature in your home, cutting down on the energy required for heating and cooling. (visit


• Visit the Environment and Sustainability Office


(www.vbgov.com/government/offices/eso/pages/default.aspx) and the Planning and Community Development Department (www.vbgov.com/government/departments/planning/Pages/home. aspx) for more information.


Page | 108


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140  |  Page 141  |  Page 142  |  Page 143  |  Page 144  |  Page 145  |  Page 146  |  Page 147  |  Page 148  |  Page 149  |  Page 150  |  Page 151  |  Page 152  |  Page 153  |  Page 154  |  Page 155  |  Page 156  |  Page 157  |  Page 158  |  Page 159  |  Page 160  |  Page 161  |  Page 162  |  Page 163  |  Page 164  |  Page 165