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What goes into a GREEN home?
Key Components of a Green Home - Green homes incorporate environmental considerations and resource efficiency into every step of the building and development process to minimize environmental impact. The design, construction, and operation of a home must focus on energy and water efficiency, resource efficient building design and materials, indoor environmental quality, and must take the home's overall impact on the environment into account.
Energy-Efficient Features
Many of the energy-efficient qualities of a green home are easy to spot. Appliances, windows, and water heating systems will likely have ENERGY STAR® ratings. The home may also include efficient lighting fixtures and bulbs. Renewable energy sources (such as available through your local utility company) further decrease the overall energy consumption within the home.
Water-Efficient Features
Fixtures and appliances such as low-flow showerheads, faucets, and toilets, and ENERGY STAR dishwashers and washing machines all conserve water. Programmed, low-volume irrigation systems, rainwater collection systems, wastewater treatment systems, and hot water recirculation systems also save water.
Resource-Efficient Features
The home should contain renewable materials, including rapidly-renewable wood species such as those found in many of the engineered wood products throughout the home, and recycled-content materials in carpets, tiles, and concrete formulations.
Indoor Air Quality Features
The heating, air conditioning and ventilation system (HVAC) must be appropriately sized for an efficient and properly ventilated home. Fans in the kitchen and bathrooms release stale air to the outside. An HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilator) further exchanges indoor air for fresh outside air while retaining the energy in the exhausted air and transferring it to the incoming unconditioned air. Low-VOC paints, finishes and wall papers may also be used.
Outside the Home
In a Green home, care should be taken to preserve trees and other vegetation native to the area. Landscaping should contain plants that are appropriate for the climate, and grouped according to water needs. Driveways and other impervious surfaces should be reduced as much as possible, and may be composed of gravel, permeable block pavers, grids, or other permeable systems.
Look for the Mark of a Certified Green Home
If you are in the market for a green home, look for the Green Certified mark issued by the NAHB Research Center. It is the homeowner's guarantee that the home was built according to one of the levels of green outlined in either the ICC 700-2008 National Green Building Standard or the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines. The NAHB Research Center is the sole certifier recognized by NAHB's National Green Building Program.
Features of a GREEN certified home at Riverview Estates
- Energy Star Certified
- Independent third party verification
- Use of Engineered Wood products(Roof Trusses, I Joist floor system,
OSB floor, wall and roof sheathing
- Heat Recovery Ventilator
- Enhanced foundation waterproofing
used (Tuff-N-Dri)
- High efficiency Heating 95% A.F.U.E.
- High efficiency Air Conditioning 14.5
S.E.E.R.
- Insulated and sealed supply and return ductwork
- EPA WaterSense® certified Kohler low flush toilets and water saving lavatory faucets
- Indoor air quality features
- High R-Value insulation, caulking & sealing
- Passive Radon ventilation system
- Homeowner Education
- National Green Building Standard
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