We hear about it in the news but what does it mean for you? What does the concept translate into? And of course is there added value?

The evolution of green Building has come down to a list of areas of interest to the consumer. These are the areas the “Green Built” project will exceed the standard home. In some cases these will add values to the home. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has boiled it down to the following: Green is a cost effective design, construction, and operation of homes according to resource-efficiency standards for energy, water, building design and materials as well as indoor air quality standards.

The Homebuilders Association of Kitsap County (HBA) has one of the nationally recognized programs that have set the standard for other “Green programs”. So what does this mean for the consumer?

Green building starts at the design, goes through construction and ends with the owners living in the home. The cost savings of a green Built home are noticeable.

• Upgraded heating and cooling systems and energy star rated appliances.
• Less Materials wasted in construction from efficient design and framing systems.
• More durable materials used to reduce maintenance.
• Less intrusive lot development for environmentally safer development.
• Better air quality for a more comfortable environment.
• Increased home value in the market place due to benefits of lower energy, maintenance, air quality.

   In future columns, we also will include some issues that may affect us all indirectly — The new energy code starts in July, How will it change homes? The sewage plants are having difficulty as illegal drug lab waste is dumped into home drains. If you have ideas you want to be included please email Rick@CedarBayHomes.com.