|
|||
| Custom Home Designs | Pre-Drawn House Plans | Contact Us |
|
What is green? This is a simple yet complicated question in today's housing industry. Outside of the fact that green is a color, the term is relatively undefined. In a rather general sense green building is a conscious effort to design and build homes that are environmentally friendly and promote healthy living. "Green" is not only seen as a way to build, but also as a way to live. This is the reason "Green" in many ways is seen as a movement, rather than a definitive answer to complicated environmental issues. | ||
| How "Green" you make your home is a personal decision. It can be a moral or economical decision. If you are making an economic choice the purchase cost, life span, maintenance cost and replacement cost must be balanced against the energy savings anticipated. If you are building "Green" because it is the right thing to do then the US Green Building Council (formally known as LEED), Energy Star, and ICC/NAHB have different varying levels of "Green" certification in which new home owners can participate. | 
|
||
|
A home that receives a "Green" certification is a home which, from its inception, participated in a nationally recognized energy conservation program. Although there are many sources of information on "Green" Building, three of these organizations have programs that relate well to new home building and remodeling. | ||
|
International Code Council and National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) 1201 15th Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 www.nahbgreen.org |
Energy Star US EPA ENERGY STAR Hotline (6202J) 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, DC 20460 www.energystar.gov 888 STAR_YES 888-782-7937 |
LEED U S Green Building Council 1800 Massachusetts Ave. NW Suite 300 Washington, DC 20036 www.usgbc.org 800-795-1747 |
|
The certification process emcompasses a team approach between the owners, the builder and a "Green" building verifier. During the design and planning phase of the project the team implements sustainable and energy efficient elements in the design of the home. These features are given a point rating based an a HERS (Home Energy Rating System) Rating. The higher the point value of the home the better your score will be. A home will be classified in one of four categories depending on values established by the verifier. The site, home design, construction methods and details all contribute to a home's HERS rating. The "Green Classifications" of the US Green Building Council are certified, silver, gold, or platinum. the verifier then registers the project into the "Green Certification" Process. The home is required to have two field inspections by the verifier. The first is the rough inspection, which occurs prior to drywall, while the insulation and framing are exposed. The second is the final inspection at the completion of the home. At this time the verifier reviews the equipment and appliances for compatibility to the original HERS scoring. The verifier completes a final report and submits it to the builder. |