Building Green


What is Building Green? 
Green building means improving the way that a home uses energy, water, and materials to reduce impacts on human health and the environment while also making environmentally-preferable and sustainable decisions. Green building incorporates important elements such as:

  • Home Envelope: Effective levels and proper installation of wall, floor and attic insulation, comprehensive air barriers, and high-performance windows.
  • Air Distribution: Air ducts are installed with minimum air leakage and effective insulation.
  • Equipment: Efficient equipment for heating, cooling, and water heating.
  • Lighting: Fixtures that earn the ENERGY STAR qualification.
  • Appliances: ENERGY STAR qualified dishwashers, refrigerators, and washing machines.

 

Why Should You Build Green

  • Added Confidence: Home buying is complex enough without having to know all the details of energy-efficient construction. The government-backed ENERGY STAR label easily identifies that a home is truly energy efficient.
  • Lower Ownership Cost: Compared with standard homes, ENERGY STAR qualified homes use substantially less energy for heating, cooling, and water heating-delivering $200 to $400 in annual savings. Over the average 7 to 8 years you may live in your home, this adds up to thousands of dollars saved on utility bills. Additional savings on maintenance can also be substantial.
  • Better Performance: An ENERGY STAR qualified home delivers better protection against cold, heat, drafts, moisture, pollution, and noise. Having an Energy Star qualified home also ensures improved indoor air quality, consistent temperatures between and across rooms and greater durability.
  • Smart Investment: By choosing a home with the ENERGY STAR label, you can be confident that it will have an increasingly valued feature when the time comes to sell.
  • Environmental Protection: Did you know that your home can be a greater source of pollution than your car? In fact, 16 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions are generated from the energy used in houses nationwide. Energy used in our homes often comes from the burning of fossil fuels at power plants, which contributes to smog, acid rain, and global warming. Simply put, the less energy we use in our homes, the less air pollution we generate.

 

An Energy Star Home
To earn the ENERGY STAR, a home must meet guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC), and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20–30% more efficient than standard homes.

  • Effective Insulation: Properly installed and inspected insulation in floors, walls, and attics ensures even temperatures throughout the house, reduced energy use, and increased comfort. > Included
  • High-Performance Windows: Energy-efficient windows employ advanced technologies, such as protective coatings and improved frames, to help keep heat in during winter and out during summer. These windows also block damaging ultraviolet sunlight that can discolor carpets and furnishings. 
    > Included 
  • Precise Construction and Ducts: Sealing holes and cracks in the home's "envelope" and in heating and cooling duct systems helps reduce drafts, moisture, dust, pollen, and noise. A tightly sealed home improves comfort and indoor air quality while reducing utility and maintenance. > Included 
  • Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment: In addition to using less energy to operate, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems can be quieter, reduce indoor humidity, and improve the overall comfort of the home. When properly installed into a tightly sealed home, this equipment won't have to work as hard to heat and cool the home. > Included 
  • Efficient Products: ENERGY STAR qualified homes may also be equipped with ENERGY STAR qualified products — lighting fixtures, compact fluorescent bulbs, ventilation fans, and appliances, such as refrigerators, dishwashers, and washing machines. > Included 
  • Third-Party Verification: With the help of independent Home Energy Raters, ENERGY STAR builder partners choose the most appropriate energy-saving features for their homes. Additionally, raters conduct onsite testing and inspections to verify the energy efficiency measures, as well as insulation, air tightness, and duct sealing details. > Included 

 



Source EnergyStar.gov