High quality green buildings are less expensive to operate, healthier and more comfortable for inhabitants, and more durable. Careful planning and the selection of environmentally superior materials allow green buildings to work with the natural environment rather than against it. There are many ways to “green” your home or office:

Energy Efficient: Green buildings implement strategies such as air tight exteriors, increased insulation levels, shortened plumbing and duct runs, duct and plumbing insulation, high efficiency mechanical equipment, lighting and appliances, and high performance windows. Whenever possible, green building utilizes “renewable” energy from the sun, wind or ground heat.

Environmentally-friendly Materials: The planet’s resources are being depleted at a rate that exceeds their ability to regenerate. Green buildings strive to select materials that reduce the strain on natural resources such as those that are rapidly renewable, made with recycled content, create less pollution to manufacture, are reused, or require replacing less often.

Durability: Built to last through the careful selection and assembly of materials, green buildings require less upkeep and are extremely resistant to moisture damage.

Healthy Indoor Environment: By selecting materials that are safer for inhabitants, balancing venilation systems, properly venting stale air and combustion fumes, and protecting against soil gasses and moisture, indoor air contaminants can be minimized.

Site Orientation & Planning: Designing and planning a building to fit the site allows the home to take advantage of natural processes such as passive solar heating and effectively deal with wind patterns. Well planned landscaping can help shade summer sun and block north winds. Blending the building into the surrounding environment helps to reduce degradation to the site.

Water Efficiency: Low flow fixtures and toilets and Energy Star washing machines and dishwashers perform the same functions with considerably less water. In order to conserve drinking water, greywater recovery systems that collect water from sinks and showers and rainwater collection systems collect still usable water to be used in and around the home. Selecting drought resistant/native landscaping species and reducing the amount of turf lawn for the site minimizes irrigation needs.

Natural Lighting: Windows, skylights, and tubular skylights allow natural lighting to enter the building, reducing the need for electrical lighting and improving the living environment.

Higher Value: Buildings that are less costly to operate, are safer for inhabitants, and are more durable are of higher value. Where would you like to live?