The efficient
use of nonrenewable resources, incorporation of renewable
energy features and use of recycled materials are the cornerstone.
Efficient construction and building practices and processes
are essential factors in this endeavor. Equally important
is our desire to provide the Green home that fits the desires
and budgets of our homeowners.
Introduction
to Green Building
Any
type of construction, commercial or residential, new construction
or remodeling affects our environment. The concept of Green
building is designed to reduce that impact. Green building
incorporates environmental considerations and resource efficiency
into every step of the land development and home building
processes to minimize the environmental impact.
There are two
recognized Green Building processes, the LEEDS system which
seems to be embraced strongly by the commercial industry and
the NAHB National Green Building Program which is the program
that has been widely accepted by the residential building
industry. The teeth of the NAHB Green Building program is
the guideline scoring checklist. This checklist goes through
every aspect of a new home construction project and puts a
point value on the “green” building practices
that are used for the project. These points are tallied to
provide a total score which indicates the green building level
(bronze, silver or gold) your project achieved.
Green Features
in Team Homes (see
features)
Team Construction is a “Certified
Green Professional” certified by the National Association
of Home Builders. Our standard building specifications qualifies
each Team Construction home in the Bronze level. With some
modest upgrades your home can qualify at the Silver level
and with a few more upgrades you can go for the Gold. Starting
in January 2009 each home that we build will be given a “Green”
rating by our “Certified Green Professional.”
This rating sheet will be given to each home owner during
the early planning and selection stages of the project. This
is an in house rating. For purposes of government rebates
and tax credits further certifications and additional fees
may be required. We present this in the early stages of the
project to allow the buyer time to create a home that achieves
the Green Level of building that best suits their budget and
desires.
To
learn more, contact our Green Professional, Todd Meier at
toddm@teamconstructioninc.com
