There is no denying that we as a nation have come together to embrace green living.

Unfortunately, for those wanting to live in green homes, many are still at the mercy of custom builders who build them one by one—making them cost prohibitive for the average mainstream homebuyer. Because of this, large-scale green residential communities are almost non-existent. But that’s quickly changing with the need for rapid developments of sustainable communities that post very minimal negative impact on the environment.

Green living is no longer for a select few—we simply can’t afford it to be. Green Builders’ idea is to build sustainable homes that are efficient, comfortable, healthy and attractive, with earth-friendly features and options.

Being able to do this requires a delicate mix of partnerships, design, technology and materials. Ninety percent of green building takes place in the first 10 percent of the building process. When you assimilate these sustainable construction techniques correctly from the start, you end up with a green, large-scale, yet affordable community like Georgetown Village in Georgetown, Texas. Green Builders homes in Georgetown Village are green from the ground up; they are designed to be beautiful, healthy, long-lasting, and most significantly: affordable.

Four Pillars of Green

As President and CEO of Green Builders, Inc. and a longtime developer and homebuilder, I understand the importance of working with environmental groups such as the EPA’s ENERGY STAR program and home building associations like the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) to develop an industry standard in homebuilding.

Each of our homes incorporates our proprietary Green Sense program featuring the four pillars of green: energy efficiency, water conservation, earth sensitivity and health consciousness.

Energy

Reduced energy consumption conserves resources and money. Cooling and lighting a home are the most expensive and energy-consuming aspects of running a household. As a result, each of our Green Builders’ homes incorporates a number of smart, natural methods to generate and save energy.

• Each home is situated on an East/West axis to limit the amount of direct sun exposure.
• Overhangs or awnings provide additional shade to decrease solar heat gain.
• Light-colored natural stone from local quarries is used, because it absorbs less heat and requires less energy to be transported to the home site.
• Efficient home design eliminates unnecessary square footage and scaled ceiling heights are utilized.
• Compact Fluorescent light bulbs are installed in every light fixture.
• Energy efficient HVAC equipment including a 14 SEER heat pump, centrally located in an insulated cavity, is zoned and sized appropriately for each house. Systems are tested after installation to assure proper operation and less than 6 percent duct leakage. And, the system uses Puron, which will not damage the Ozone.
• Conduits for future solar panel installation are installed as standard.

Water

We understand the vital importance of water conservation, especially in drought-prone areas and address the needs of those living in these areas and the future needs of buyers yet to come.

• Low-flow showerheads and toilets cut water usage by half.
• ENERGY STAR appliances use 10 to 15 percent less energy and water.
• Custom-programmable sprinkler systems with rain sensors are installed so water can be dispensed when needed, rather than according to an arbitrary schedule.
• Native landscaping and hydro-zoning.
• Rainwater collection systems reuse naturally collected water. In addition, homeowners have the option of incorporating a water filtration system to make the collected water potable.
• Direct-vent tankless water heaters are installed in every home, ensuring that heated water is provided on an as needed basis.

Earth

Earth’s resources are vital to our survival. As a result, we use building materials that are grown and harvested in a sustainable manner, while making good use of innovative recycled options.

• Shingles with a 30-year rating mean they won’t need to be replaced for decades, and therefore won’t be immediately added to our landfills.
• Spray foam insulation is made from environmentally friendly raw material and seals better than other insulation, also reducing monthly utility bills by as much as 50 percent.
• Engineered, recycled lumber is used whenever available.
• Flooring options include sustainable materials like bamboo, recycled tile and recycled carpet with non-toxic glue.
• A base cabinet in the kitchen holds recycling containers.
• Low volatile organic compound (VOC) paints are used, which release few or no pollutants.
• We encourage green furnishings and accessories and provide a variety of resources for these products from local and national retailers.

Health

Good health begins with clean air. Because of this, we make sure that we generate and preserve exceptional air quality throughout our homes by reducing humidity—and therefore allergens—wherever possible.

• Foam roof and wall insulation reduces humidity and lessens the possibility of mold, pollens and other allergens.
• Front-loaded washing machines are encouraged, as they generate less humidity in the home.
• Exhaust fans in kitchen, bath and utility rooms remove humidity.
• Cabinets and carpets are made and finished with materials that greatly reduce “off-gassing” to improve the quality of the air inside the home.
• Attic fans are not used because they promote humidity and draw the cooled air out of the home.
• Proper grading ensures that water drains away from the home, reducing the possibility of mold and insects.
• Garages are detached or vented to make sure exhaust fumes don’t migrate into living areas.

We’ve also introduced a program that allows homeowners to furnish their home with eco-furnishings and accessories from large national suppliers like IKEA and Natural LEE Furniture as well as local boutiques. The participating furniture sources are committed to reducing impact on the environment and helping consumers cultivate organically rich lifestyles through the purchase of sustainable and socially responsible products.

We’re just one part of a global change, but we’re doing our best to share our experiences and ideas with everyone. Green is bi-partisan. It is the future. And, it’s something that everyone at every level can do.

Visit www.greenbuildersinc.com for more information.