So, What is Green Building?

So, what is Green Building? It is the process of incorporating environmental considerations into every phase of the home building process. During the process of building a green home, a builder takes numerous factors into account simultaneously and consciously incorporates environmental issues into all decisions. Below are the guiding principles addressed in green home building:

• Lot Design, Preparation and Development
• Resource Efficiency
• Energy Efficiency
• Water Efficiency
• Indoor Environmental Quality
• Operation, Maintenance and Homeowner Education
• Global Impact
• Site Planning and Land Development

Green Building is much more than just reducing a home’s environmental footprint. Homeowners can realize direct benefits by owing a green home. Here are some of the primary benefits that owners of green homes have experienced compared with owners of conventional homes:

Lower Operating Costs – homeowners receive less expensive utility bills because of energy and water efficiency measures.

Increased Comfort – Green homes have relatively even temperatures throughout the home, with fewer drafts and better humidity control.

Improved Environmental Quality – by following these guidelines, builders pay extra attention to construction details that control moisture, choose materials that contain fewer chemicals, and design air exchange/filtration systems that can contribute to a healthier indoor environment.

Enhanced Durability and Less Maintenance – Green homes incorporate building materials and construction details that strive to increase the useful life of the individual components of the whole house. Longer-lasting materials not only require fewer resources for replacement but also reduce maintenance and repair costs. Green homes have lawns that require less weeding and watering, building elements that require less maintenance, and more durable building components that reduce the time needed for upkeep.

Westmont Custom Homes is committed to building high performance green homes, for more information, please contact us!