Does Building Green have to Cost a lot of GREEN?

I recently attended a series of classes to become a CGP (Certified Green Professional) through the North Carolina Association of Home Builders.  One of the things that was “hammered home” many times during the classes was that it really doesn’t have to cost a lot of GREEN to build green or healthy. 

One of the things you can do to build a more green home is to use some thought when positioning your home on the lot.   The concept of passive solar design can be as simple as positioning the home to best manage solar energy.  The idea that you have to have solar panels on the roof is simply not true.  The use of solar panels is a great idea, if it fits in the immediate budget, but if not, you can still make smart choices about how to utilize what nature has provided.

Another idea is to create a rainwater collection area.  For some, this may mean the installation of holding tanks to collect the rainwater so that it can be used for landscape watering at a later time.  For those on a tighter budget, a rain garden can be utilized; diverting rainwater to a specific area where water-loving plants are used.  The idea is to keep the runoff water on site, thereby reducing erosion.  

Even Energy Star® Certification doesn’t have to break the budget.  Using smart planning with regard to placement of windows and doors can make a huge difference.  Tightening up the building envelope is not as difficult as you might think.  In fact, a homeowner who is willing to take a weekend and several cans of spray foam, can fill voids around windows and exterior receptacles and light switches and the like to avoid areas of air infiltration.  It’s relatively inexpensive to do, but can make a measurable difference in the home’s ability to be energy efficient. 

It is true that you can spend a lot of money making your new home green and healthy.  But if you speak with a knowledgeable builder, you might be surprised just how inexpensive it can be.  The key is to be cost effective AND as energy efficient and healthy as your budget allows.

Steve Wallin, President

Custom Homes of Asheville