Home: Green: For Builders: Green
Option 2: Green
A green home uses energy efficient ENERGY STAR® equipment, fixtures and appliances as well as building materials made from recycled and/or renewable resources. Green homes are designed to harness renewable resources, reduce environmental impact and maximize energy efficiency, working toward NAHB and LEED certification standards.
More and more builders and consumers are seeking green options when it comes to constructing new homes. When it came time to create our Green Building Program, Excel turned to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and selected its ICC-700, the National Green Building Standard, as the base for our model.
NAHB created its National Green Building Standard program to meet the ICC-700 standards of the International Code Council. When you get a green certified home from Excel, it can qualify for ICC-700 confirmation, which rates homes in different green categories.
Build a Green-Rated Home
Every Excel home plan already comes with many standard “green-built” points. From there, using our interactive Green Building Scoring Tool, you and your homeowner can develop a plan to help you reach the green rating that works best with their needs, goals, and budget. Homes can be rated Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Emerald, depending on various levels of compliance with the National Green Building Standard.
Take the first step to building a green-rated home with our interactive Green Building Scoring Tool.
Additional Resources
Excel makes it easy for builders who want to develop a plan to build a green-rated home. To learn more about our Green Building Program, please download our comprehensive Green brochure.
Frequently Asked Questions
General:
Green building is a complete approach to every part of the building process, including design, construction, energy, water efficiency and lot development. Green building uses recycled and reused materials or materials made from renewable resources.
Building green minimizes the negative impact on the environment and the community. It reduces callbacks while increasing product differentiation and profit for the homebuilder. It can also lower operating costs, improve construction methods, reduce maintenance issues, and increase home value.
There are many useful sites for green building information including:
The Excel modular process for green home building is actually less complicated than the site-built process. Modular homes are built in sections in a factory environment, where more precise angles, and seals can be created. On-site construction is less precise than factory construction and can lead to less tight homes. Modular homes can also be developed “green” using natural, non-toxic and sustainable materials.
Green Materials And Practices:
Because the green building process is comprehensive, everything is included, from windows, siding, doors and roofing to the home site, foundation, heating/cooling system, appliances and lighting.
A green home’s building materials are an important first step. Good To Be Green (goodtobegreen.com) lists a guide to being green. Its extensive list includes information on everything from roofing materials and exterior wall siding to interior walls and flooring.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy do not have a specific building certification program. However, ENERGY STAR does measure a green building’s energy use.
These tips can be as simple as turning off lights and appliances when they are not in use. Other tips may include: setting the thermostat at a comfortable level in the winter and higher in the summer months, using compact fluorescent light bulbs, air drying dishes, taking short showers, and washing only full loads of dishes and clothing.
Costs:
Often, good green buildings cost approximately the same amount as a standard home. Over the long run, cost savings show up in energy/utility bills. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, good green buildings may cost only a few percentage points more than conventional designs.
Many local and state governments offer options for businesses to build green. In Maine, for example, there is the Efficiency Maine Business Program. This program provides cash incentives and independent technical advice to help businesses save energy and money. And South Carolina offers a state loan program called ConserFund Loan Program to fund a variety of efficiency improvements to projects promising a fast energy savings payback. Check with your local and state agencies for more information.