It is common to hear everyone is “going green” these days. You can’t pick up a magazine or turn on the T. V. without finding out what’s the latest product to go green and that’s not describing Kermit. It is often describing the latest in home building and the fact that Green Building is starting to sweep the country. Even with all the hipe most people have no clue what green building is. Here are a few answers to some common questions about building green.

Do they have to be weird looking? No, there are some really crazy green homes, but most are built in a traditional style. Beautiful, traditional homes can be certified green, but you also have the option of shiny modern glass cubes with grass growing on the roof. Recently, a beautiful Fairhope Cottage style home with exposed rafter tails and cypress board and batten siding was built that will be Certified Green by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in Fairhope, Alabama that shows the diversity in style when building green. There are other small cottage house plans that can be “green”.

Do all have solar panels? As the cost of solar energy decreases and the efficiency increase, it’s practical to incorporate it in house construction plans. Solar panels, however, are not a requirement when building a green home. There are many certified homes that do not utilize solar energy, and there are many homes which are solar but not green.

Are they expensive? If you have the opportunity, it is cheaper to incorporate “green” in your luxury home floor plans than to retrofit it. However, retrofitting can be done and it may be cost effective to do so. Simply put, inefficient homes cost more to heat and cool, light, and supply water to. Green Homes may require more investment at the time of purchase or construction, but the return on that investment is immediate and permanent. Many research scientists work read this case study more than 12-14 hours a day… Mortgage companies may even qualify a borrower for a larger mortgage payment with a product known as an Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM). They figure you save money if your mortgage is a little higher but your utilities are lower. As energy and water rates rise, the return on this investment will continue to increase.

Green homes are energy efficient. Through careful design and construction green homes can reduce the amount of energy needed by 30-75%. This is done by carefully air sealing the house, orienting the house for optimum solar exposure and shading, insulating, and choosing the right windows, lighting, HVAC, and appliances. A green home will have a Home Energy Rating (HERS rating). Testing, inspections, and analysis of a homes design and construction determine this rating.

Green homes conserve water. Green homes can reduce a home’s water use by 30-50% by using low flow faucets, showerheads, watersense toilets, and energy star appliances. This technology has greatly improved and there is no sacrifice of comfort in exchange for the water savings. Other strategies for water conservation include rainwater catchment and greywater reuse.

Green homes are healthier. A little known benefit is that green homes pay specific attention to indoor air quality. With recent testing showing the air inside buildings is often more polluted than the air outside going green makes sense. Being inside this bad air has exacerbated many problems including allergies and asthma. Green homes increase indoor air quality by eliminating possible pollutants such as formaldehyde and other Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) during the construction process. Properly designed ventilation also provides fresh air and removes contaminated or moisture laden air.

Green homes are certified. Without certification, it is sometimes hard to tell if your house is “green”. The NAHB green building guidelines are a great start for many homes. Third party certifiers inspect and test homes during construction to verify that any claims are legitimate and quantified. A homebuyer can be confident in the certification from a reputable organization such as the Washington D. C. based NAHB or the U. S. Green Building councils LEED certification.

If you are thinking about building green go to House Plans and More for the best , house construction plans or.

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