Buying a home
What Does It Mean To Be Green? By Lea Missik, Built Green™ Program Manager, Built Green™ is a Program of the Master Builders Association
Solar Panel lined roofs on Z-Homes
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healthier, greener home with lower monthly bills. Sounds fantastic, right? Most agree that a more environmentally friendly and comfortable home is preferable to the alternative. It can be tough, however, to know what to look for, and people want to know that claims of “being green” are not just lip service. Here’s what makes a home green.
Water Saving water also means saving on bills! And the environmental reasons for saving water are quite clear, especially given the region’s drought over the past years. Make sure home water-using fixtures and appliances are efficient. Look for the WaterSense® label on toilets, shower heads and faucets.
Energy Efficiency
When buying electricity from your local utility, chances are the electricity you’re getting contributes to climate change. Seattle City Light is the country’s first zero greenhouse gas emissions utility, thanks to 90% of its portfolio coming from hydropower and carbon offset purchases. However, hydro and offsets both have their own potential issues, and efficiency is the best first step. Use ENERGY STAR appliances. Make sure the lighting is LED. The home should also have a “tight envelope,” as in, it should be well insulated—drafty homes need more heat! And the heating system? Forced air heating through ducts is inefficient, patchy and bad for indoor air quality. We’re seeing more mini splits and heat recovery ventilators—ask about these options. Finally, is the home’s layout intelligent? Is the window placement conducive to letting in daylight? Is the house positioned so that you could eventually install solar panels? Better yet, is the home already pre-wired for solar? You can even get an energy model done to predict usage. If a home is achieving Built Green™ certification, the builder will be able to provide you this information. 24
GREATER SEAT TLE INFOGUIDE • 2016-17
Showers use both water and energy, since it takes energy to heat water. Low-flow shower heads reduce this problem, as can the proximity of your shower to the water heater. The further apart the heater and shower are, the more water will be wasted running through the pipes as you wait for the water to heat and reach you. A central utility closet location is a strategic way to save resources and money! What about the yard? The landscaping should consist of drought tolerant and native plants. Don’t waste city water; collect rainwater in a rain barrel. Some builders even hook these systems up to the indoor plumbing, so rainwater is used to flush toilets!
Site Your residence’s location matters. During construction, builders should take steps to prevent erosion and, when the project is completed, stabilize the soil and add a layer of compost to ensure overall health. Don’t hesitate to ask about the stewardship practices implemented when looking at new buildings. The environmental importance of location goes further, and also has implications on quality of life. Is there a grocery store, restaurants, a school and the like nearby? Are biking and walking amenities within reach? Is public transportation close? Individual buildings help make a smart and sustainable city.
Photo: © Built Green™
When people think of a green home, energy efficiency is typically the first thing that springs to mind. After all, everyone knows what it’s like to get an electric bill. But energy efficiency is good for more than just your pocket book.
