“Green Built Homes” is an emerging recognition that earth friendly structures are a necessary part of sustainable lifestyles. However, to be acknowledged as Green Built, these homes do need to meet certain established criteria. The program as developed by the National Association of Home Builders recognizes five key areas:
- Resource Efficiency
- Energy Efficiency
- Water Efficiency
- Indoor Environmental Quality
It Also includes two additional areas:
- Operation, Maintenance, and Home Owner Education
- Global Impact
Each of the seven areas has minimum scoring requirements. Overall scoring for all seven areas recognizes three different levels of
This house, initially designed to meet all the above green building criteria, looks like a natural extension of its environment. From Sitting to Landscaping, this house meets all its objectives without compromising function or appearance
- Do these homes look different than conventionally built homes??
Answer: Not necessarily. If you remember the five homes picture on our Home Page, only one was not built to Green Guidelines.
- Do these homes look different than conventionally built homes??
Answer: Yes, but not as much as you might think. Initially they may cost up to 10% more, but as builders become more familiar with the concepts and consturction techniques, and as additional green products appear on the market place, the increase in price is expected to fall within the 3-5% range. In many cases that may be recovered in energy savings.
- What is driving the costs???
Answer: Greater care in construction of the "energy efficient building envelope", more energy efficient appliances, higher efficiency HVAC systems, and optional use of solar hot water and photovolatic electricity.
- Besides being "earth friendly", what are some of the other reasons for Green Building???
Answer: There are many reasons for Green Building. Not only is it sensible, it represents a good investment as well.
a) Energy Efficiency: This almost speaks for itself. In typical cases, the cost for heating and cooling can be reduced by 50% from typically built homes of only a few years ago.
b) Water Efficiency: There are multiple opportunities. These include more water efficient toilets, shower heads, faucets, hot water delivery systems, grey water systems, rain water systems, control of surface water run off, and so on. The reduction in water usage can be substantial depending on options chosen, and is of particular importance in areas with dwindling water resources.
c) Indoor Air Quality: The purpose of this requirement is to minimize potential sources of pollutants in the home, manage potential pollutants, and mitigate potential moisture problems. For people prone to respiratory illness, this can be very significant.
d) Resource Efficiency: In a single phrase, this means no wasted materials and "nothing to the dump". It also encompasses renewable materials, recycling, and structural durability. All told, good practices here will reduce overall construction cost and durability will minimize subsequent home owner maintenance.
e) Lot Design, Preparation and Development: This involves careful planning and development of the building site for minimal disturbance to soil and vegetation, and upon completion of construction minimal restoration. It also involves the use of local plant materials (or environmentally compatible materials) to minimize the use of natural resources for their sustainability.
Indoor Air Quality is achieved by using formaldehyde free bamboo plywood, low VOV paints, linoleum flooring, and solid surface countertop This attractive garden uses native plants and drought resistant species that lower the use of water for irrigation and eliminate the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides, important in green landscaping
In areas of the country where
