Green Builders Raleigh NC
Green Building Certification - Lot Design, Preparation, and Development
Why Should I Buy a Green Home?
There are many different reasons to purchase a green home.
- Lower energy bills
- Less carbon footprint
- Healthier indoor air
- Reduced warranty claims
- Improved durability and less maintanence
- Better resale
A Certified Green Home is "graded" across 7 categories, to ensure standards are met and environmental impact is limited. Today we'll talk about Section 1.
Section 1 - Lot Design, Preparation, and Development
Resource-efficient site design and development practices help reduce environmental impacts. Green design principles might include saving trees, constructing onsite storm water retention/infiltration features, and orienting the home for maximum passive solar heating and cooling.
Remember, there are three different levels of Green Home Certification using the third party certification programs in the Raleigh/Triangle area: Bronze, Silver, and Gold.
For Bronze Level green home certification, you may see features like these:
Certified Green Training
- the builder team has been carefully trained to uphold green principles throughout the building process.
Protected Home Sites
- Limits of clearing and grading carefully marked on site plan
- Areas to be cleared and graded in preparation for building home are clearly marked on site with flags, etc.
Natural Vegetation
- Turf grass and other vegetation are selected that are native or regionally appropriate (such as drought-resistant species in the Raleigh area)
Hydrozoning
- Plants with similar watering needs are grouped together
Control Erosion
- Install and maintain sediment and erosion controls
Limit Impact on Land
- Stabilize disturbed areas within 14 day period
Share Driveways or Parking
- A shared driveway for two homes can minimize impact on both homeowner's land.
Optimize Solar Resources
- Site the home and other built features to optimize solar resources by placing the long side of the home within 30 degrees of due South.
How does Green Home Certification work?
In order for this new home to be "certified green" through the Green Home Builders of the Triangle third party certification program, a total of 257 points must be earned across 7 categories. Bronze level certification requires 12 points in the Lot Design, Preparation, and Development category.
The points earned may vary, depending on the site conditions, location, and desires of the homeowner. There are over 40 ways to earn points in this category alone.
Silver and Gold certification requires additional points.
You may also be interested in:
Green Home Building in the Triangle
What is a Green Home?
What Is Geothermal? Geothermal News and Information
Passive Solar Homes and Ideas
Finding Your New Home in the Raleigh Area
Stanton Homes makes it easy! We'll guide you through the entire process - select from thousands of different floor plans, and hundreds of different locations. New homes from the upper $100s to the $500s. Custom modifications available too!
Call 919-278-8070 or visit www.StantonHomes.com to find out more today.
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Copyright Stanton Homes 2009. Provided for informational purposes only, no claims are made by Stanton Homes regarding the validity of any statements. Stanton Homes is an NC New Homes Builder, with new homes in the Triangle and Fort Bragg area.
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Green is the new and more informed better buidling. It reduces energy and is environmental friendly. The generation coming up are more green informed and thus a home with green ratings will be on their target for purchases. Great article...thanks!