What is Green Building?
Home builders and home buyers across the country are increasingly interested in green building. But what exactly makes a home green?
Green building is incorporating environmental considerations and resource efficiency into every step of the home building and land development process to minimize environmental impact. Simply put, green building is good building-and it's not that different from what builders are already doing. It means making intentional decisions that affect the following areas of the design and construction process:
- Lot Design, Preparation & Development
- Resource Efficiency
- Energy Efficiency
- Water Efficiency
- Indoor Environmental Quality
- Operation, Maintenance & Homeowner Education
Homes that are built in accordance with the National Green Building Standard feature:
- Lot & Site Development: careful planning can reduce a new home's impact on vegetation, soil and water, while enhancing its long-term performance
- Resource Efficiency: recycled materials, waste management and durable construction
- Energy Efficiency: appliances, insulation, windows and heating systems are designed to work together-and to lower your utility bills
- Water Efficiency and Conservation: a green home is designed to conserve water - inside and out
- Indoor Environmental Quality: managing moisture and ventilation can help homeowners live and breathe in a more comfortable indoor living environment
- Operation, Maintenance and Homeowner Education: knowing how to optimally operate and maintain your green home is as critical as getting it built right