Green Building Programs for Projects of Any Size
Go forward by doing your environmental certification homework
By Andrew Hunt, FrontDoor.com | Published: 3/27/2008
You're already planning to do the all the eco-friendly work on your new home: energy-efficient appliances, water-saving fixtures, the works. Why not work with your builder to make your home a certified green space? Here's how to get started on your path to a fully eco-friendly home.
Questions to Answer
Before getting started, define your reasons for going green. A good way to get going is to answer the following questions:
How much can you spend?
Are you willing to pay more for an environmentally responsible home? Unfortunately, applying energy-efficiency standards to the traditional building process may drive up the cost of building.
Though you'll spend more upfront, you'll recoup costs in energy savings over the lifespan of the house. You'll also find a higher resale value when you move. Determining your budget will define just how green you can go.
Where do you get a stamp of approval?
Is a certificate that proves your home is green an important validation for you? Some programs, such as Energy Star, offer certification. Others, including the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)Model Green Home Building Guidelines, are more like "tool kits" that allow you to pick and choose options for green building.
Before signing on to any program, make sure you are comfortable with what you will -- or won't -- get when construction and inspection are complete.
Should you go local, regional or national?
More and more local green building programs are sprouting up all around the country, which can make getting involved in the movement quick and easy. Local programs offer resources close to home, but they might not have the same clout as nationally recognized programs. You'll need to decide whether it is important for your program to have name recognition with potential buyers, or if a home-grown program will suffice.
Once you have answered these questions, the next step is to pick the program that best suits your needs.
Getting with the program
Understanding the basics of green building programs is the best way to find one that will fit your green goals. The following is a list of a few national, regional, and local green building programs. Click the links for a brief description of their main objectives and how their programs work.
NAHB Model Green Building Guidelines
LEED for Homes
Energy Star Qualified New Homes
Earth Advantage
EarthCraft House New Homes
Austin Energy's Residential Green Building Programs
