According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) residential construction is undergoing an industry-driven revolution in how houses are built thanks to a new trend known as “Green Building.” And nowhere is that trend more evident than in Kitsap County.

The Homebuilders Association of Kitsap County’s (HBA) award-winning “Built Green” program (originally called “Build a Better Kitsap”), was the national model on which most green building programs are based.

Green building — a construction methodology designed to conserve resources — can help reduce a home’s environmental impacts and energy consumption through the use of innovative design, recycled materials, and construction practices that promote sustainability. Incorporating green building practices can also help developers, builders and home owners save money by reducing costs.

But it’s actually inside of today’s homes where the greatest advances in green building are occurring. Thanks to innovation and new applications, manufacturers, builders and energy-efficiency experts have made elements such as double-pane windows, blanket and blown-in insulation materials, programmable thermostats with multiple settings., compact fluorescent lights., occupancy sensors and timers to conserve energy used for lighting needs. and EnergyStar Appliance ratings. common.

Builders are making great strides in other areas as well. Materials commonly found in the home have changed. For example, the use of plywood has been reduced 62 percednt since 1978. Plywood has largely been replaced by oriented strand board, which uses crushed wood debris compacted and glued together to create a stronger, more durable building material.

Looking beyond materials, there are steps builders can take to build greener, but the industry needs help from others. The state legislature as well as Congress can assist by providing a tax credit so that builders can construct and maintain new energy-efficient single-family and multifamily housing.

The NAHB is also pressing Congress to pass a tax credit for homeowners for projects that increase energy efficiency in existing homes.well sealed against air leakage. In some areas of the country, as much as 30 percent to 40 percent of a home’s energy load use be attributed to the infiltration of outside air into the home.