What Does It Mean To Be Green?

By Lea Missik, Built Green™ Program Manager, Built Green™ is a Program of the Master Builders Association

Ahealthier, 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.

Energy Efficiency

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.

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.

Solar Panel lined roofs on Z-Homes

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.

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.

Materials

What is your home made of? Some materials are better than others. Make sure that materials in the home are sustainably harvested, have recycled content, and are reclaimed and/or local, but also ensure that the materials are durable—it’s better to use fewer resources and not have to constantly replace things!

Indoor Air Quality

Who doesn’t want their home to be healthy? Two of the culprits causing unhealthy indoor environments are urea formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are found in many adhesives and paints. Ask if paints and finishes are low- or no-VOCs and if products such as cabinets meet one of the standards that indicates they have low urea formaldehyde: NAUF, NAF, ULEF, or CARB II.

There are other factors contributing to poor indoor air quality. Forced air heating can blow dust around, so look for one of the alternates mentioned earlier in this article. Carpets are a breeding ground for mold, and collect dirt and outdoor pollutants tracked in by shoes. Consider a home with little or no carpet. Make sure there is an area near the entrance to place a mat or to take off your shoes. Some homes are built with tracking mats installed right in front of the door, so you don’t even have to think about it! It is important to pay attention to all of these indicators—not just one. Many of these strategies complement one another in creating healthier, more comfortable and greener homes. It’s great to have a really well insulated, air tight home, but it then becomes extra important to ensure high indoor air quality. That is why Built Green™ is a holistic certification and homes must meet requirements in all of these categories. If you buy a Built Green™ home or rent a Built Green™ apartment, you’ll be sure that the home was built to high standards of environmental, personal and community health.

The Seattle area is a great place to live, and its residents adore the amazing outdoor opportunities that abound. We all want to protect our region and our earth. Where we live is a good place to start.

About Master Builders Association of King & Snohomish Counties

Founded in 1909, the MBA has grown to become the largest home builders association in the United States. If you are looking to buy, build, remodel or maintain your home, trust MBA for industry professional referrals and practical information to get the job done. www.mba-ks.com.

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