The Samford Group

Transportation. Close proximity to public transportation is considered so green that it helps homes earn points in green certification programs. Taking mass transit helps reduce air pollution, and some insurance companies offer reduced rates to homeowners who live close to public transportation, says John Stovall, vice president for business development for EcoBroker International.

Insulation. Look for insulation that is rated suitably for your region and has an appropriate R-factor (or R value), a measurement of insulation that indicates how well it’ll be able to withstand moisture and heat or cold air. The higher the R-factor is the lower your utility bills.

Flooring. Hardwood, bamboo, tile, cork or other hard-surface flooring are all easier to maintain than carpeting. These materials also absorb fewer insects and moisture that leads to mold and mildew.

Windows. Opt for windows that are large, insulated, double-hung and well sealed. Large, numerous windows provide for natural lighting, thereby reducing the amount of time you have to use artificial lighting. Double-hung windows are easier to maintain and their operability allow you to open them for natural ventilation. Well-sealed windows are properly sealed (and are usually new) which helps keep the home’s envelope sealed. Insulated windows also filter the sun’s harmful rays.

Water. Tankless water systems provide on-demand access to hot water throughout the home. These systems heat water directly without the use of a storage tank. So forget about running the shower for 10 minutes before you jump in. When a hot water tap is turned on, cold water travels through a pipe into the unit. In an electric tankless water heater an electric element heats the water. In a gas-fired tankless water heater a gas burner heats the water. As a result, tankless water heaters deliver a constant supply of hot water. You don’t need to wait for a storage tank to fill up with enough hot water.

Floor plan. Open floor plans add to a home’s sustainability and are easier and typically less expensive to heat, cool and maintain. If you have a better layout and floor plan, you don’t need as big a house.

Shade. Roof overhangs prevent excessive sunlight from blinding or heating up a room.

Location. A properly site-oriented home takes advantage of the sun year-round but also takes access into account. Does it have trees that can provide shade and noise absorption? What happens with the runoff of rainwater? Also, the home should not be near agricultural fields, which contain dust, pesticides and pungent gasses exuded by farm animals.

Landscaping. Native plants and xeriscaping are two landscaping options that minimize the need for irrigation, a tremendous benefit during seasons when water use is restricted. Unlike exotic plants, native species thrive with minimal care (less water and fertilizer). Xeriscaping involves plants that are drought tolerant, grow slowly, conserving water and minimizing yard trimming.

The home building industry coined the phrase green building in the late 1980s, turning a niche movement of resource-efficient homes into a quiet revolution – one that is increasingly becoming a preferred way to build and remodel.

Whether you are a home building professional looking to go green or a prospective home buyer reasons for going green are numerous.

Green building means incorporating environmental considerations and resource efficiency into every step of the home building and land development process to minimize environmental impact. It’s a practical response to a variety of issues that affect all of us – like increasing energy prices, waning water resources, and changing weather patterns. It means making intentional decisions about:

Energy efficiency improvements such as high levels of insulation, efficient HVAC systems, high-performance windows and energy-efficient appliances and lighting

Water conservation measures such as water-efficient appliances and fixtures, filtration systems, and drought resistant or low-maintenance landscaping

Resource conservation using materials and techniques such as engineered wood and wood alternatives, recycled building materials, sustainably harvested lumber, and more durable products

Indoor environmental quality considerations such as effective HVAC equipment, formaldehyde-free finishes, low-allergen materials, and products with minimum off-gassing or low volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

Site design planning such as minimizing disruption and preserving open space

Homeowner education through manuals and operating guides

Green business practices that adopt ideas from other industries for saving resources and money in the home office

The first official green home building program began in 1991 in the city of Austin, Texas. The movement has grown slowly but surely since then and today, new homes are significantly more energy and resource efficient than they were even 20 years ago. A past survey of NAHB members showed that more than two-thirds are incorporating at least some of these green features into the homes they build — and that as the home building industry begins to revive, it will be significantly greener. With the 2009 ANSI approval of the ICC 700 National Green Building Standard builders, remodelers, and homebuyers now have a clear definition of green residential construction and a credible certification to that standard by a qualified third party.

Information provided by NAHB Green