Green residential building is a process for building new homes
that seeks to reduce the negative environmental impact, while creating
a healthy living environment for the occupants.
This can be accomplished through thoughtful planning, energy efficient design,
superior building techniques, careful product selection and aggressive recycling efforts.
The components of green building can typically be separated into six overlapping categories:
SITE EFFICIENCY: Site selection, building orientation, storm water management, on-site environment preservation.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY: Advanced insulation systems, sealing the building envelope, solar deflection techniques, energy efficient heating and cooling systems, duct sealing, energy efficient hot water heating and delivery systems, energy efficient lighting, renewable energy.
WATER EFFICIENCY: Restricted flow plumbing fixtures, power assisted toilets, gray water reclamation for landscape irrigation, use of drought-resistant and native species of plants in landscape design, efficient irrigation systems.
RESOURCE EFFICIENCY: Resource efficient design, products with recycled content, lumber products from certified sustainable forest, rapidly renewable materials, on site recycling programs.
INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY: Designed and balanced mechanical systems, advanced air filtration systems, use of material containing very low amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), use of formaldehyde free materials, techniques and materials to mitigate mold growth, use of natural ventilation.
HOMEOWNER EDUCATION: Home maintenance, home operation, alternatives to toxic cleaning substances and lawn and garden chemicals, water saving practices, winterization.
