Q: What is a "Green" Home?
A: Green homes incorporate environmental considerations
and resource efficiency into every step of the building and development process
to minimize environmental impact. The design, construction, and operation of a
home is focused on energy and water efficiency, resource efficient building
design and materials, indoor environmental quality, and takes the home's overall
impact on the environment into account.
Energy-Efficient Features
We build a better envelope on a building by using materials and practices that
increase R-value and decrease air infiltration. By building a better
envelope you can reduce the size of the mechanical systems. Cost savings then
can pay for the better envelope. Renewable energy sources, such as
geothermal heating and cooling, photovoltaic electricity and water heating
systems, further decrease the overall energy consumption within the home.
Many of the energy-efficient qualities of a green home are easy to spot.
Appliances, windows, and water heating systems will likely have ENERGY STAR®
ratings. The home should also include efficient lighting fixtures and bulbs.
See
Links page for more information on insulated concrete forms (ICF) and
geothermal heating and cooling systems.
Water-Efficient Features
Fixtures and appliances such as low-flow showerheads, faucets, and toilets, and
ENERGY STAR® dishwashers and washing machines all conserve water. Programmed,
low-volume irrigation systems, rainwater collection systems, wastewater
treatment systems, and hot water recirculation systems also save water.
See
Links page for more information on Green landscaping practices.
Resource-Efficient Features
Many decisions—from home size, to orientation on the lot, to floor plan
layout—are made in the design of your home and development of the lot. The house
orientation and design should take advantage of natural daylight to reduce
lighting needs, and should use strategies to reduce heat gain in the summer and
heat loss in the winter. The home should contain renewable materials, including
rapidly-renewable wood species such as bamboo, and recycled-content materials in
carpets, tiles, and concrete formulations.
Indoor Air Quality Features
The heating, air conditioning and ventilation system (HVAC) must be
appropriately sized for an efficient and properly ventilated home. Fans in the
kitchen and bathrooms should cycle fresh air inside, and release stale air.
Low-VOC paints and finishes and wall papers should be used as well.
Outside the Home
In a green home, care should be taken to preserve trees and other vegetation
native to the area. Landscaping should contain plants that are appropriate for
the climate, and grouped according to water needs. Driveways and other
impervious surfaces should be reduced as much as possible, and may be composed
of gravel, permeable block pavers, grids, or other permeable systems. See
Links
page for more information on Green landscaping.
See
How Homes Become Green