Today, new homes are twice as energy-efficient as they were 30 years ago. Nationwide, roughly 100,000 homes have been built using local green building program guidelines since 1990, more than 14,000 of them in 2004 alone. More than 1,000 builders participate in local green building programs.
Introduced in 2005, the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines brought environmentally friendly building techniques to mainstream builders and home builders associations. The guidelines offer builder and market-driven solutions in seven areas, including lot preparation and design, resource efficiency, energy efficiency, water efficiency and conservation, occupancy comfort and indoor environmental quality, and operation maintenance and homeowner education. Now, the Guidelines form the basis of the NAHB Green Building Program and the first-ever residential green building standard.
Homes built today use myriad green building techniques and technologies that:
Lower operating costs—homes are equipped with more efficient heating and cooling systems and use less water, resulting in lower monthly utility bills. Improved construction methods better protect homes from rain and ground water and reduce upkeep and replacement costs, while use of recycled materials helps conserve natural resources.
Reduce maintenance issues—landscaping uses native or drought-resistant plants and grasses, and decks made of pressure-treated lumber or synthetic materials need no sealing or staining.
Increase home value—homeowners with documented lower monthly utility bills are reporting higher re-sale values.
Improve environmental quality—moisture-control products and low VOC paints contribute to a more comfortable indoor environment, and efficient use of materials helps conserve natural resources.
Click here to view past issues of our digital newsletter - Beyond Green.