Green Building

ARE YOU A "GREEN" BUILDER?

"Energy efficiency", "healthy indoor air", and "suburban sprawl" are quickly becoming familiar household terms. With recent increases in fuel prices and rapid growth in the construction market, there is growing concern about the longevity of our natural resources, the quality of life in our neighborhoods, and the health of our homes and workplaces.

The Builders Association of the Hudson Valley and the New York State Builders Association are addressing these issues as they pertain to residential construction and renovation. With funding from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and assistance from the NAHB Research Center, the associations are developing a green building program.

The voluntary program for builders and remodelers will encourage resource-efficient construction practices and features that reduce environmental impact over the life of the home. While there are no funding sources or grants for individual projects at this time, many of the green options make economic sense for both the home builder and the home buyer.

"Green" building refers to the use of resource efficient materials and environmentally friendly practices in all phases of construction - from initial land development and site planning through the design of the home, the construction practices employed, the materials used, and the operation of the home once it is occupied. Examples of options that home builders (and home owners) might choose include the use of high efficiency furnaces and air conditioners, nontoxic materials and low VOC finishes, and measures that encourage jobsite and homeowner recycling.

Green building programs are springing up across the country. Austin, Texas was the first city to implement a green building program ten years ago. In the last five years, numerous communities have followed its lead. Denver's program, which hit the streets in 1995, enrolled 2000 homes in 1999. And, it is not just small or "fringe" builders who are taking part. U.S. Homes, which builds 10,000 homes per year nationwide has committed to build all its homes in the Denver area as green homes.

The growth of green building programs is not simply due to an altruistic concern for the health of the environment. Green homes include features that home buyers want and that increase comfort as well as make economic sense. For instance, tight, well insulated homes reduce drafts, maintain even temperatures throughout, and decrease utility bills. Higher efficiency appliances have lower operating costs throughout their useful life and reasonable payback on the higher initial investment. More durable products such as alternative decking materials decrease the need for maintenance and increase resale value.

If you are a builder or associate member interested in participating in a local “Green Building” committee, please contact the BAHV office and you will be notified of upcoming meetings and/or programs of interest.

Additional information on green building is also available at the website www.nahbrc.org or contact Margo Thompson at the NAHB Research Center (800) 638-8556.