What Makes A Green Home?

In the world of construction, you may have heard the term green home. These homes are environmentally friendly and energy efficient. With global warming and other issues in the current world, green homes have become incredibly popular and relevant. But what exactly makes it a green home?

Materials Used

When building a home, you can choose from a large variety of materials. It can be overwhelming. Bamboo floors and cotton insulation are just two examples of materials that are considered green. Both of these materials are easily sustainable, and they function as well as their non-green counterparts.

Utilities

One of the biggest drains to the environment is the excessive use of electricity and water. Installing methods in a home to reduce the utility impact will help to make a home green. Rainwater catch basins and grey water collection are two examples.

Heating is a big consumer of electricity, but in many areas, it is also a necessity. People need to stay warm. But there are efficient and eco-friendly ways to heat a home. Proper design and using geothermal heating, pellet stoves, solar heating, or masonry heaters can help make a home green.

Building Process and Methods

How you build a home can also affect whether or not your home is green. The building process should use the absolute minimum resources and material possible. Construction equipment also can easily damage the environment so caution should be used. No project should use more resources than required, a green home demands that.

Green Building Certifications

Green homes are not a new idea. People have been creating homes with the concept of green building for years. A variety of agencies and states have come out with different environmental certifications programs. One green building certification has come to be a standard for all.

The US Green Building Council created the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED. LEED rates a building (or home) based on four criteria: design, construction, operation, and maintenance. A different system exists for measuring the various types of design. That includes a LEED measurement specifically for homes or residential buildings.

Building a green home is a great way to do your part for the environment. It is also an excellent way to lower your bills. A green home can maintain climate control better and uses resources more efficiently. Why wouldn't you want either of those benefits?

For more information on building a green home, contact Grayson Homes at 919-578-6222.