Steve Tull recently became part of the select group of professional builders, remodelers, and other industry professionals nationwide who have earned the Certified Green Professional (CGP) designation, identifying them as people with knowledge of the best strategies for incorporating green building principles into homes.
The CGP program is administered by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Education The NAHB is a Washington-based trade association representing more than 175,000 members involved in home building, remodeling, multifamily construction, subcontracting, design, building product manufacturing and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction.
Tthe CGP curriculum incorporates a variety of information tailored to green building and business practices. The CGP curriculum incorporates training by leading building industry practitioners and academics on a range of topics, including strategies for incorporating green building principles into homes using cost-effective methods of construction, and how green homes provide buyers with lower maintenance and good indoor air quality. Techniques are also discussed for competitively differentiating your home products with increased indoor environmental quality as well as energy and resource efficiency.
Green building is more than just a checklist. It’s the use of quality building practices that promote sustainability to make a home healthier and more efficient-while being kind to the ecosystem. No matter how simple or complicated your project-new or existing-it’s important to create a budget. A CGP can offer guidance on what green features to incorporate into your project so that you can stay within your budget.
What Does Green Mean
What Does GREEN Mean??
A green home pays attention to energy efficiency, water and resource conservation, the use of sustainable or recycled products, and measures to protect indoor air quality. Building green means incorporating environmental considerations and resource efficiency into every step of the home building and land development process to minimize environmental impact. That means that during the design, construction, and operation of a home, the home's overall impact on the environment is taken into account. To move to the next step of sustainable building, the builder should consider a whole-house systems approach. The home is composed of several independent components which, when planned and fully considered, can work together to increase performance and efficiency.
Key Components of a GREEN Home:
Energy-Efficient Features: Appliances, windows, and water heating systems will likely have ENERGY STAR® ratings.
Water-Efficient Features: Fixtures and appliances such as low-flow showerheads, faucets, and toilets, and ENERGY STAR dishwashers and washing machines all conserve water.
Resource-Efficient Features: These decisions—from home size, to orientation on the lot, to floor plan layout—are made in the design of your home and development of the lot.
Indoor Air Quality Features: The heating, air conditioning and ventilation system (HVAC) must be appropriately sized for an efficient and properly ventilated home.
Outside the Home: Care is taken to preserve trees and other vegetation native to the area.
Benefits to the Homeowner:
Operating Costs: The technologies and practices required to build a green home to certain criteria may result in lower costs to operate the home.
Maintenance: Effective storm water management and landscaping could mean less time maintaining outside spaces.
Indoor Environmental Quality: The efficient HVAC systems, windows, and floor plans also mean that heating and cooling is better distributed throughout the home.
The Environment: Increased energy and water efficiency in construction could lead to decreased energy and water consumption in a home throughout its lifespan.