Green Builders Raleigh NC
Green Building Certification - Indoor Environmental Quality
Breathing Better Air in Your New Raleigh NC Home
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 4 - Water Efficiency & Quality. Read more here about Lot Preparation, Resource Efficiency, Energy Efficiency, and Water Efficiency.
Section 5 of 7 Green Building Guidelines - Indoor Environmental Quality
A certified green home in the Raleigh NC area is different. Indoor environmental quality is improved by builders who carefully follow these green building guidelines to:
Minimize potential sources of pollutants.
Manage potential pollutants generated in the home.
Manage moisture in the home from vapor, rainwater, plumbing, and HVAC systems
Offer innovative options
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.
No matter what individual features are chosen, a certified green home has an integrated and comprehensive approach, and incorporates features not found in standard homes
For Bronze Level green home certification, you may see features like these:
Fireplaces
Either no fireplace, or a carefully sealed fireplace will help indoor air quality. If there is a fireplace, it's probably a direct-vent, sealed-combustion gas fireplace, sealed wood fireplace, or sealed woodstove.
Sealing Between Garage and Living Areas
The door between the garage and living spaces should be tightly sealed, plus additional sealing should be used on any walls shared with a garage.
"Green Label" Carpeting
Carpet, carpet pad, and floor covering adhesives noted as "Green Label" by the Carpet and Rug Institute's indoor air quality testing program or equivalent thresholds can help indoor air quality.
Kitchen Venting
The kitchen range should be vented to the outside.
MERV 9 Filters
Installing MERV 9 filters on central air or ventilation systems can also improve indoor air quality.
Moisture Resistant Materials
Installing moisture resistant backerboard behind showers and tubs can cut down moisture retention and possible mold.
Sealed Crawl Space
A sealed crawl space helps prevent moisture problems.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Installing carbon monoxide detectors near all combustion appliances or areas can offer an additional sense of security.
Other Options Available
Of course you can add other features as your desires and budget see fit! Innovative options can include a central vacuum system, a detached garage in place of an attached garage, a sealed attic, carpet nap less than .5 inches, or an upgraded HEPA air filtration system.
How does Green Home Certification work?
In order for a 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 71 points in the Indoor Environmental Quality category.
The points earned may vary, depending on the site conditions, location, and desires of the homeowner. There are over 100 ways to earn points in this category alone.
Silver and Gold certification requires additional points.
You may also be interested in these New Home Green Building Topics:
NC Green Home Builders – Pittsboro Green Homes
What is a Green Home? Green Home Builders
What Is Geothermal? Geothermal Heating and Cooling Information
How to Determine a Reasonable New Home Budget
WaterSense Toilets - How Much Water Do They Save, and How do They Work?
ENERGY STAR Homes - What is ENERGY STAR?
Ways to Save Water - Rainwater collection systems
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, with a focus on new custom homes in the upper $100s to the $500s. Custom design build options available too!
Call 919-278-8070 or visit www.StantonHomes.com to find out more about new homes in the Raleigh area today.
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Articles copyright Stanton Homes 2006-2011. Unauthorized use is not permitted. Provided for informational purposes only, no claims are made by Stanton Homes regarding the validity of any statements. Please note: all listing information per MLS, and current as of posting date. Information subject to change. Stanton Homes does not make claims to ownership of any lot listings, but can work with homebuyers to purchase available lots and build. Home plans to be approved on an individual basis, subject to neighborhood restrictive covenants and lot restrictions. Ask for further information regarding any community, lot or floor plan. Photos represent typical homes and details of each neighborhood, to help highlight different options available in the Raleigh/Triangle area. No claim of ownership is made to homes or land pictured.
This is a very nice post -- clear and easy to understand. Indoor air quality is important --- we spend a lot of time in our homes.
I was just talking to a home inspection yesterday that is getting his green designation. Sounds like I need to get in the groove and get certified.
Here in Southern California, some of the utility companies provide rebates and other incentives, both to builders and buyers, for going GREEN.
Joan - Thanks, glad you found it helpful. Indoor air quality is just one element of a green home, but certainly an important one!
Herrington - Certification certainly wouldn't hurt, I think construction will continue trending greener.
Russel - California is one of the more progressive states for green building. Here, there are programs available for ENERGY STAR, solar water heaters, geothermal, and solar photovoltaic systems, but nothing that I'm aware of specifically for a green home.
Thank you so much for the wonderful post. And I appreciate the re-blog feature as I really want to encourage buyers & builders to consider going green!
Hi penny, Nice to see some industry standards are in place. Well done.
Great information. There is certainly a lot more to making a home green than just installing CFL bulbs. :)
Jenna - Happy to help. We try very hard to educate about the types of questions we get asked most.