features
Blueprints for Going Green Green Built Homes Checklist Clarifies Steps to Better Building BY KAT MCREYNOLDS s I sat down to plan my first duplex build as a general contractor, the vague aspiration of “building green in Asheville” became a dizzying stream of questions. In what neighborhood should I build? What site layout would zoning allow? What are the most durable materials for siding, countertops, flooring? Which paint should I use? What color? What sheen? How many gallons? Have I eaten yet this week? Every home is the culmination of countless decisions, and building sustainably can add a layer of complexity. While I initially wondered whether the Green Built Homes certification would add hurdles, I eventually found the opposite to be true. If code-built homes are a
A
D-minus, the Green Built Homes checklist provides a detailed study guide for earning an A.
The checklist Managed by the Green Built Alliance, this voluntary, state-wide program gives builders a framework to track eco-friendly upgrades to both the construction process and the home itself. Participants must meet 16 prerequisites like air sealing to 5 ACH 50 and testing for radon. Beyond that, all checklist items are optional and assigned a point value. Within eight categories like site or building envelope, contractors must earn a minimum number of points, and a cumulative total determines how each home ranks — from simply certified to the highest platinum level.
For newcomers to green building, the level of specificity within the checklist is invaluable. A numerical good-better-best figure is provided for several metrics, like U-values, which measure a window’s ability to insulate. An average U-value of 0.32 or less earns one point, while lower (better) Uvalues of 0.29 and 0.25 earn two and three points respectively. Guideposts like these give instant meaning to specification sheets, allowing builders to more readily compare products. Perhaps the greatest program benefit, though, is the involvement of a third-party energy rater. Hired by the builder, this person conducts inspections at key times and serves as a consultant on the home’s green potential. In my case, speaking to energy raters during
blueprint drafting led to an important upgrade from 2x4 to 2x6 exterior walls. I also communicated with the rater during purchasing to ensure that fixtures and finishes were aligned with our goals.
The cost Cost, of course, is a factor for anyone considering the Green Built Homes program, especially as our community faces serious affordability issues. Unfortunately, the answer to exactly how much extra certification costs is an obnoxious, “it depends.” To start, it depends on what the homeowner would have done in the absence of the program. Many product lines are already moving toward sustainability by default, like increasingly prevalent
The author’s first duplex build as a general contractor was also her first certification experience with the Green Built Homes program. SAGE TURNER PHOTO
42 |
www.GREENBUILT.org
