How Does a House Qualify as Green?

We've already discussed the trends in home building and how "Green" built homes are becoming a trend. We've talked about what Green is in relation to the definition. Now, how do you know if you have a Green-Built Home?

Just so you know, there are a lot of builders that may claim to build "Green" and are hopping on the wagon to try and be "Green", but really aren't "Green." Some builders that I've run into the past couple of years, think it's a bunch of hog-wash. Maybe it is. With the media attention around "Green", I've now seen that many of the builders are changing their tune when it comes to building "Green."

I went to a great seminar about building a healthy home. The gal even put together a great checklist of things that you should be sure to ask.

Directly from her suggestions in her book, were some of the following questions to ask a builder:

1. Do you have a list of referrals? Do you arrange for buyers to visit them?
2. What access do I have to the construction site?
3. What makes you a superior builder?
4. What steps do you take to ensure that the home will work together for comfort, health, safety and energy-efficiency?
5. How will the effects of sun, rain and wind be considered in the design of my home?
6. Will all windows effectively control ultraviolet rays, solar gain, high wind and noise?
7. How can I be sure that insulation will be installed to deliver its rated performance?
8. How do you balance tight construction and the need for fresh air year around?
9. Will my house be comfortable in the summer without a large air conditioner?
10. What steps have been taken to ensure total house comfort?
11. What other energy efficient features will my home have?
12. Do you participate in a certification program that my home can qualify for?
13. What percentage of construction waste do you recycle?

(Sara Lamia's book Housebirth is an excellent source guide for the person who plans on building. This is just a small portion of the valuable information that is located in the book. You can order her book at http://www.homebuildingcoach.com/)

In order for the house to be certified as Green, it must achieve certain score in following categories:

•1) Lot design, preparation and development

•2) Resource Efficiency

•3) Energy Efficiency

•4) Water Efficiency

•5) Indoor Environmental Quality

•6) Operation, Maintenance and Homeowner Education

•7) Global Impact

Just to give you an idea of what a builder needs to consider, here's a very small portion of the GREEN BUILT, INC. CERTIFICATION CHECKLIST

S E C T I O N 1 - LOT D E S I G N , P R E P A R A T I O N , A N D D E V E L O P M E N T

1 .1 S E L E C T T H E S I T E

1.1.1 Avoid 7

1.1.2 Infill site 9

1.1.3 Grey field site 7

1.1.4 EPA Brownfield site 7

1 .2 IDENTIFY GOALS WITH YOUR TEAM

1.2.1 Establish a team

1.2.1A Team members 3

1.2.1B Mission statement 3

1 .3 DESIGN THE S I T E

1.3.1 Conserve natural resources

1.3.1A Site plan 2 Submit Plan

1.3.1B Protection plan 2 Submit Plan

1.3.1C Conservation Program 2 Submit Plan

1.3.1D Site supervisor training 2 Builder

1.3.2 Optimize solar resource 6 Builder site plan

1.3.3 Minimize slope disturbance

1.3.3A Limit slope development 1 Site plan

1.3.3B Hydrological study 1 Submit study

1.3.3C Align road or extended drive 1 Site Plan

1.3.3D Erosion control design 1 Site Plan

1.3.4 Minimize soil disturbance and erosion

1.3.4A Minimize exposed soil 2 Builder

1.3.4B Alternative utility install 2 Builder

1.3.4C Demarcate limits of clearing and grading 2 Builder

1.3.5 Manage storm water

1.3.5A Preserve and use natural water and drainage features 2 Submit Site Plan

1.3.5B Implement storm water drain plan 2 Submit Plan

1.3.5C Permeable walkways, driveway, patio, parking areas 2 Builder or 3rd party

There is a lot more to this "GREEN" thing than meets the eye

Building a Green home can be rigorous for a builder who is not familiar with the process but is easily attainable with some planning and implementation at the conception stage.

Stay tuned for Why is Green Popular?