Custom Building a Green Home

By John A Webb

Considering building a new custom home? Today's new homes can easily incorporate green features that will not only make a difference in your comfort level but reduce the cost to operate - heating/cooling/electrical and water consumption. Good green construction techniques can also increase the longevity of your home by using techniques that minimize conditions that may damage your home.

These days, green home building is becoming more and more mainstream. Custom builders and production builders now commonly incorporate green building techniques into their new homes. So before you move the first shovel full of dirt consider some green building strategies. Here is a checklist of areas to research when considering a new home project:

1. Energy Efficiency
a) Low infiltration construction
b) Upgraded insulation systems
c) Properly sized heat/ac systems
d) Framing and sheathing - size/insulation value
e) Lighting types for efficiency - CFL and/or LED
f) Optional Lighting Efficiencies - Dimmers
g) Select Energy Star appliances

2. Water Efficiency
a) High efficiency fixtures (toilet/shower heads)
b) High efficiency appliances
c) Engineered plumbing systems

3. Indoor Air Quality
a) Sealed air ducts
b) Properly sized heat/ac systems
c) Combustion safety
d) Engineered air flow - fresh air and spot ventilation
e) Internal air pressure balancing
f) Internal humidity control
g) Low off gassing paint and products
h) Low off gassing carpets

4. Durability
a) Optimal engineered framing
b) Air and thermal barriers
c) Internal humidity management
d) Durable material selections - use of green building materials
e) Low maintenance building materials

See the Energy Star program for more information on energy efficient homes.

John A. Webb writes for Greenbelt Homes in Austin, TX. Greenbelt Homes is known for quality green construction and timely completion of their projects. See the web site for more information on this Austin home builder.

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