What is a Green Home?
"A green home uses less energy, water, and natural resources, creates less waste and is healthier for the people living inside compared to a standard home"
-
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
Developer of LEED for Homes certification for green homes
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1. Reduce usage of materials
2. Reuse materials or pass them on to someone else
3. Recycle and use recycled materials
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Green Home Considerations
Site Selection and design
- avoid contributing to sprawl
- retain natural landscape
- maximize daylighting
- do not contribute to stormwater runoff
Building Envelope Design
- structural integrity
- energy efficiency
- moisture control
Building Materials
Building Methods
- minimize waste
- recycle and reuse existing materials
- reduce toxicity at site, ventilation
- verify with third party testing
Water Conservation/Management
- water conserving plumbing fixtures
- water filtration
- efficient appliances
- solar/instantaneous water heaters
- xeriscaping and native plants
- irrigation water sensors
