There are many benefits to the Built Green™ program for all stakeholders:
The Built Green™ program is moving the home building industry forward in producing quality homes and enhancing healthy living. These benefits extend beyond the walls of your new home. Built Green™ is helping to ensure that these benefits are available to all homebuyers who purchase a home that meets Built Green™ standards. By choosing energy efficient options you'll be making a choice to help protect our environment for the future as well as make a difference to your bank account today.
Energy Efficiency. As energy costs take a noticeable chunk out of homeowner budgets, using energy wisely is being widely promoted. We also need to be aware of the source of our electricity. (For example, in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia, non-renewable resources such as coal is predominately used in the generation of electricity.) Next to a mortgage, energy costs are the most significant household expenditure. An energy efficient home offers lower energy costs.
Comfort. A less drafty home with improved ventilation increases the homeowners control of humidity and temperature. Appropriate design and orientation can take advantage of the sun's warmth in the winter and reduce the sun’s impact in the summer.
Water Efficiency. Given past drought conditions experienced almost everywhere in Canada, water is becoming a precious resource. Installing water efficient appliances such as low-flow fixtures or dual-flush toilets,
Energy Star washing machines and dishwashers along with water aerators on the faucets and showers can significantly reduce the amount of water a household consumes. Planting a water-wise landscape also reduces the water demand and requires less maintenance while still adding beauty to your home.
Healthier Indoor Air. Tightening a home to make it more energy efficient without adequately addressing the ventilation can create health problems. The Built Green™ program encourages well-sealed duct systems, combustion appliances that are sealed and/or direct vented, controlled fresh air and uses interior building materials that reduce indoor air pollution.
Durability and Less Maintenance. The Built Green™ Program encourages the use of building materials that are more durable both inside and outside the home. This reduces maintenance and replacement costs.
Global Benefits. Building a Built Green™ home results in some direct benefits to the owners but there are also benefits to the community and the environment in general. For example, the use of local materials is encouraged, thereby reducing transportation costs and stimulating the local economy. Also, focusing on choosing materials and products made from recycled content reduces the need and energy to extract new materials. They are resource efficient and produce less waste than typical products and usually have a long life-cycle, requiring less maintenance.
A Built Green™ home just make sense. For the building industry to sustain itself, increasingly more efficient and creative ways to build homes without sacrificing the environment and quality of life must be achieved.
A Built Green™ home is a superior product! Due to all of the benefits listed above,
they keep their resale value, save money on utility bills, provide better indoor air quality and
give homeowners and their families a sense of pride and well-being in knowing
that their home has a reduced impact on our environment.
Home Builders and Renovators
The Built Green™ Program promotes construction of buildings that are healthier for the occupants and healthier for the environment. Sustainable or "green" building practices can reduce the tremendous impact that building has on both people and nature.
Better energy efficiency means long term savings for the homeowner. Healthier indoor air means comfort, better health and peace of mind for the family. Durable reduced maintenance building materials mean a longer life for the home. Preserving natural resources means leaving more for future generations to enjoy.
Informing and educating home buyers on the value of a home that meets Built Green™ standards are one of the primary undertakings of the program. An informed buyer will recognize the value of greater energy efficiency, healthier indoor air, reduced water usage, and improved comfort.
Sustainable building practices go beyond energy and water conservation, resource efficient building materials and superior indoor environmental quality. Some of the key benefits are:
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Lower fuel/energy and water costs
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Efficient use of building materials
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Enhanced health and productivity
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Long-term economic returns
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Reduced environmental impact
A Built Green™ home has less of an environmental impact than traditionally built homes because, by design, they conserve water, energy and other natural resources, they are energy efficient, and use recycled or renewable products and materials. Green building materials and products are often made from recycled content thus reducing the need and energy to extract new materials. They are resource efficient and produce less waste than typical products and have a longer life-cycle requiring less maintenance. Materials are also less toxic and renewable or replaceable within a period of time.
The homebuyer will know that their Built Green™ home represents their commitment to
the environment, future generations and improving the way we live. Resource and environment
conscious home buyers will look for Built Green™ certification when choosing their home.
A Built Green™ home certification offers participating builders an excellent way to distinguish themselves in the marketplace. Market research shows that consumers take environmental concerns and long term energy costs into consideration when making purchasing decisions.
Builders can demonstrate their environmental leadership by participating in the Built Green™ program and producing a great home. Participation in the Built Green™ Program also offers builders an exceptional opportunity to take advantage of cost savings derived from group purchasing of training programs, blower door tests, network of suppliers, and third party validation.
Product Suppliers/Manufacturers, Service Providers and Community Developers
Municipalities/Government
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Every home uses less energy and produces lower greenhouse gas emissions.
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Every home is third party tested and certified for energy efficiency and air tightness. (The air tightness test can identify areas of air leakage through the wall cavity.)
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Every builder must successfully complete the mandatory Builder Training before they can start building a Built Green™ home. This helps the builders to understand the "house-as-a-system" Building Science approach.
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Every builder must take steps to lower the amount of waste materials generated on the jobsite thereby reducing the amount of construction waste going into landfills.
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Every home must lower water usage.
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Every home addresses indoor air quality.
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As part of the founding sponsorship agreement, for a three year period:
Sponsorships will be reviewed during the third year of the program (2010)
Use the Built Green™ logo as a sign of your commitment to a healthier community and a better world.
