The process of green building incorporates environmental considerations into every phase of the home building process. That means that during the design, construction, and operation of a home, energy and water efficiency, lot development, resource efficient building design and materials, indoor environmental quality, homeowner maintenance, and the home‘s overall impact on the environment are all taken into account. .
Certified green homes earn their designation through energy and water efficiency, site planning, healthy materials, durability and other green practices. A process of building that should result in more sustainable communities and the reversal of many of the negative impacts of development upon our planet.
What is Sustainability?
Sustainability is meeting the needs of people today without destroying the resources that will be needed by persons in the future…based on long range planning and the recognition of the finite nature of natural resources.
Benefits to the Consumer
Green homes are energy efficient
Green homes use fresh water efficiently
Green homes have good indoor air quality
Green buildings are designed with respect to their natural surroundings
Lot Design, Preparation, and Development
Resource-efficient site design and development practices help reduce the environmental impacts and improve the energy performance of new housing
Energy Efficiency
On average, a home built between 1990 and 2001 consumed about 12,800 kwh per year for space and water heating, cooling and lights and appliances. Where natural gas is used, consumption averages 69,000 cubic feet per household annually. Total energy expenditures during a year cost these homeowners about $1,600. Energy efficiency improvements that make a home 20% more efficient- a conservative estimate for many green homes – could significantly reduce a homeowner's annual utility expenses. ENERGY STAR qualified new homes are substantially more energy efficient than homes built to the minimum code requirements. Our ENERGY STAR qualified new homes are independently verified by a third-party Home Energy Rater to ensure they meet ENERGY STAR energy efficiency guidelines. These homes are better for the environment and better for you. Learn more about ENERGY STAR qualified new homes at http://www.energystar.gov.
Water Efficiency
Green homes often conserve water both indoors and out. More efficient water delivery systems indoors and native and drought resistant landscaping choices can help prevent unnecessary waste of valuable water resources.
Indoor Environmental Quality
An increase in reported allergies and respiratory ailments and the use of chemicals that can off-gas from building materials have contributed to a heightened awareness of the air we breathe inside our homes
Operation, Maintenance & Homeowner Education
Improper or inadequate maintenance can defeat the designer’s and builder’s best efforts to create a resource efficient home. By providing homeowner’s with information regarding proper operation and maintenance procedures, a builder can help assure that the green home that was so carefully built will also be operated in an environmentally responsible manner.
Global impact
Selection of paints is one issue that falls into the category of global impact. Selecting low VOC ( Volatile Organic Compounds) helps prevent the release of VOC’s from wet paint that form ground-level ozone pollution.
Tax Credits and Energy Efficient Mortgages
Visit www.energytaxincentives.org and www.energy.gov/taxbreaks.htm for detailed information on available tax credits/incentives. For information on energy efficient mortgages, visit the Energy Star website.
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Place your next project in the hands of Edgewater Contractors and you will notice the difference, from conceptual development to adding the final details, in the quality of our work. Whether you are thinking of an addition, remodeling a kitchen or bath, building a new custom home, or making your home stronger for our Florida weather, Edgewater Contractors can help.
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From Jay Anderson and Edgewater Contractors jay@edgewatercontractors.com941.366.1525