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Buying
a
new
"green"
home
has
never
been
easier.
In
fact,
there
are
several
organizations
to
choose
from
that
provide
information
and
certification
services
for
homebuilders
interested
in
utilizing
environmentally
sound,
energy
efficient
products
and
practices.
"Building
green"
simply
means
putting
together
a
home
with
minimal
environmental
impact
and
energy-saving
features.
Here’s
a
look
at
three
organizations
that
certify
green
homes:
NAHB
The
National
Association
of
Home
Builders
(NAHB)
is a
Washington
D.C.
based
agency
representing
235,000
members.
In
February
2008,
the
NAHB
launched
the
National
Green
Building
Program.
The
Program
is
an
education,
verification
and
certification
initiative
for
builders
located
anywhere
in
the
U.S.
A
scoring
tool
at
www.nahbgreen.org
takes
homebuilders
through
several
green
categories:
water,
energy
and
resource
efficiency;
lot
and
site
development;
indoor
environmental
quality;
global
impact
and
homeowner
education.
Points
are
awarded
for
each
category.
To
get
NAHB
certified,
a
builder
needs
to
get
a
good
score
on
the
test
and
pass
a
home
inspection.
Energy
Star
Energy
Star
is a
joint
program
run
by
the
U.S.
Environmental
Protection
Agency
and
U.S.
Department
of
Energy.
Launched
in
1992,
Energy
Star
is a
voluntary
labeling
initiative.
Products
and
practices
deemed
energy-efficient
are
given
an
Energy
Star
logo.
To
be
Energy
Star
certified,
a
home
must
meet
strict
guidelines
set
by
the
EPA.
Homes
are
inspected
to
see
if
they
have
good
insulation,
high
performance
windows,
tight
construction
and
ducts
(no
drafts),
energy
efficient
cooling
and
heating
systems
and
Energy
Star
appliances,
lighting
and
water
heaters.
Independent
third
parties
conduct
the
inspections.
The
Energy
Star
website
lists
the
names
of
builders
who
make
Energy
Star
approved
homes.
LEED
LEED
stands
for
Leadership
in
Energy
and
Environmental
Design.
It
is a
rating
system
created
by
the
U.S.
Green
Building
Council
(USGBC)
in
1998.
The
rating
system
focuses
on
six
main
areas:
sustainable
sites,
water
efficiency,
energy
and
atmosphere,
materials
and
resources,
indoor
environmental
quality
and
innovation
and
design
process.
The
purpose
of
LEED
is
to
create
consistent
standards
regarding
the
construction
of
green
buildings
across
the
country.
Certification
is
handled
by
LEED
For
Home
Providers—local
organizations
chosen
by
the
USGBC
to
provide
third-party
verification.
Homebuilders
interested
in
getting
certified
must
sign
up
with
the
LEED
For
Home
Providers
group
in
their
area.
LEED
will
provide
these
builders
information
on
environmentally
sound
building
practices.
Once
a
home
is
completed,
it
gets
inspected.
If
it
lives
up
to
LEED
standards,
it
can
be
marketed
and
sold
as
LEED-approved
–
still
a
distinguishing
characteristic
when
listing
a
resale
property.
If
you’re
building
a
home
or
remodeling
an
existing
one,
consider
getting
it
certified
by
one
of
the
above
organizations
– a
great
way
to
get
a
sizeable
return
on
your
home
investment.
For
more
information:
National
Association
of
Home
Builders
http://www.nahb.org/
U.S.
Green
Building
Council
(runs
the
LEED
program)
http://www.usgbc.org/
Energy
Star
website
www.energystar.gov/
Contact
Me
I can help you with every
aspect of buying or selling your home because I’m
experienced, because I am a Better Homes and Gardens
Rand Realty Real Estate Professional . . .and because I
care.
As
your
Better
Homes
and
Gardens
Rand
Realty
Sales
Professional,
I
will
provide
you
with
the
information
you
need
to
make
an
educated
decision.
The relationship between a home buyer or seller and their agent is based on trust, shared goals and understanding. I strive to continually improve and to do this I listen and take the needs and wants into consideration.
For assistance with any of your real estate needs, please contact me, whether it's to get started on helping you realize your goals and dreams, or just to ask a question - no pressure, no hassle, no obligation - just a friendly conversation. I would welcome the opportunity to make a difference for you. |
