Thinking about building a green home? It's a systematic process, where your choices each step of the way affect the overall effectiveness of the outcome. It's not just a matter of choosing energy-efficient appliances, although that is a part of the equation. It starts with site selection and ends with owner education.
The NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines identifies 7 guiding principles to be considered:
I'll address each of these in upcoming posts, but the first consideration will be just how "green" you want your home to be. You can:
Regardless of your approach, you need to find a builder who is familiar with the various aspects of the Green Home Building Guidelines. Members of the Green Home Builders of the Triangle are likely to be a good starting point if you are located in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina.
If you are looking for something more than just green features, be aware that there are rating systems involving third-party, independent inspectors who monitor the construction and evaluate the finished product. These are significant in establishing enhanced value for your home. Your builder needs to be able satisfy the inspection requirements.
Green building practices start with the site itself. Choices made here can significantly enhance the overall green "functionality" of your new home. Conversely, failure to consider siting issues can impair or negate other green features.
Your objectives at this stage are to lower environmental impact and improve energy performance. The primary factors considered are:
A good team of resource people is essential in making the best of your property. Ideally, you want to have both a builder and architect who are familiar with green building practices. They will be able to advise you how to minimize your impact while maximizing performance, and will be in a position to anticipate the advantages and/or consequences of the choices you need to make.
Finally, you will also find that knowledgeable real estate agents and appraisers will be able to offer additional advice, particularly with respect to helping you recognize the market value of your green investment.
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