Building green means incorporating environmental considerations
and resource efficiency into every step of the home building and
land development process to minimize environmental impact. That
means that during the design, construction, and operation of a
home, the home's overall impact on the environment is taken into
account.
Many builders are using green building practices in their homes
as part of their current standard practices; ENERGY STAR® windows
and appliances, recycled content materials, and water-conserving
fixtures are all important parts of a green built home. To move to
the next step of sustainable building, a builder can consider a
whole-house systems approach. The home is composed of several
independent components which, when planned and fully considered,
can work together to increase performance and efficiency. For
example, making a home's building envelope tighter through air
sealing and quality building techniques can affect the way the
builder designs the home's ventilation system. It is through such a
forward-thinking process that builders can gain cost
efficiencies.
What are some of the benefits for homeowners to "green"
their homes?
* Increased personal comfort with more moderate temperature
fluctuations
* Easier breathing with good indoor air quality
* Savings on energy bills over time
* Improved re-sale value for the home
* Knowledge that the resources and the environmental impact of the
home was reduced in comparison to the typical home built
to Wisconsin's code
Click here
for more information on this educational/research home currently
under construction.
VHBA members -- have you "gone green?" Help
VHBA gather examples of green home construction and remodeling
projects in the Fox Valley by submitting information and photos on
projects you've completed. Click here to learn more.
The NAHB Research Center's National Green Building
Certification Program offers builders, remodelers, developers, and
other home building professionals a variety of services to learn,
incorporate, and market green building.
In 2007, a consensus committee was formed to develop a national
green building standard in compliance with the requirements of the
American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
The resulting ANSI approved ICC-700-2008 National Green Building
Standard defines green building for single and multifamily homes,
residential remodeling projects and site development projects while
still allowing for the flexibility required for
regionally-appropriate best green practices.
Homes certified (by third-party verifiers) are rated in the
following categories:
Lot Design, preparation and development
Resource efficiency
Water efficiency
Energy efficiency
Indoor environmental quality
Operation, maintenance and owner education
Valley Home Builders Association proudly endorses the NAHB
Research Center's National Green Building Certification Program as
the best green certification option available to its members.
Certification to the National Green Building Standard is a
credible, flexible, and affordable option for all types of
residential construction projects.