SPECIFY HIGHEST RECYCLED CONTENT MATERIALS
UPGRADE WINDOWS
At a minimum, windows in a new home should include insulated low-E glazings. Look for durable window frames made with materials that are renewable or recyclable, and seal and flash them meticulously.
UPGRADE HVAC
OPT FOR DURABILITY
Durability is a green characteristic. On the roof, opt for metal, clay tile, recycled rubber, or extended life (recyclable) asphalt roofing. Side with fiber cement, cedar, brick veneer or other long-lived products. Build decks and patios with recycled plastic composites or long-lasting wood species. Indoors, specify durable countertops and floors made from renewable or recycled materials.
DITCH THE LAWN
Lawn irrigation accounts for almost half of all residential water usage. No lawns are good lawns. Specify native plants and use recycled water when possible for landscape watering.
INSULATE FOUNDATION
Uninsulated concrete foundations can reduce HVAC efficiency by 30%–50%. Specify rigid or spray-on foam insulation or insulating concrete forms (ICFs) for best results. Consider a frost-protected shallow foundation or slab-on-grade construction.
UPGRADE SHELL INSULATION
For stick-framed walls and ceilings, air infiltration is a major concern. Consider an insulation package that seals walls tightly, whether with spray foam house wrap, or a combination of insulating materials. Specify 2x6 framing with 24” stud cavities.
CAULK OPENINGS
TAPE HOUSEWRAP
SPECIFY RE-USED/SALVAGED MATERIALS
SITING
Well-designed site plans take advantage of free solar light and energy and minimize damage to existing plants and habitats.
LOCATION
Automobile dependency is not a green asset. Build close to transit hubs.
EDUCATION
If you don’t understand basic green principles, you’re likely to make decisions you later regret. Consider a course at Green Builder College (
www.greenbuilder-college.com) or hit the books on your own.
HOUSE SIZE
Doubling a home’s size triples its annual energy use for the life of the home. Think small and clever, not big and boxy.
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