Whatever your opinion is about global warming, you cannot ignore the fact that the cost of energy of every kind has gone up and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. It's also not difficult to understand how these increases filter into every aspect of the home building business and into the costs of living for the homeowner, especially the cost of heating and cooling.
In reality when the entire building process is examined there is no point at which we can afford to not pay attention to methods and practices that save energy. The almost universal terminology for these practices is "going green". As Kermit, the frog, sang: "it's not easy being green."
Last spring, it got a bit easier. The International Code Council has adopted the National Green Building Standard ICC-700. The standard's rating system allows builders, designers and communities to choose the levels of high-performance green buildings that best suit their needs. Key provisions include:
* Land conservation
* Rainwater collection
* Construction of smaller homes to conserve resources
* Energy performance starting at 15 percent above the baseline requirements of the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code
* The use of low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) materials and detached garages or carports to improve indoor environmental quality
Homeowner education on proper maintenance and operation to maintain its green status throughout its life cycle
Training on ICC-700 already is available. Check with the ICC to your local Home Builders Association for more information on scheduled training opportunities.
And just so the rest of the industry won't feel left out. The Code Council is finalizing its Green Building Technologies Certification program for building officials, inspectors, planners, zoning personnel, mayors, city council members, developers and other interested parties. Again check with the ICC for more info.
Also many utilities working with the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency have developed guidelines and green codes. Georgia Power and the Southern Companies have been leaders in this program called Energy Star.
The National Home Builders Association working through state and local chapters have created workshops and encouraged builders to work together to strengthen green practices and codes.
Now it's up to you and me. First as good business people: going green and the green codes will save money and make you money as more and more consumers understand the impact of energy conservation on almost everything. Second as responsible citizens of our planet and guardians of the future for all generations to come. The time to start is today. Doesn't it just make good sense?
To find out more about green building please visit the following links: Building Codes or Atlanta Remodeling Contractor.This article was authored by V.C Fuqua and Submitted by Joseph Vann Hamby. All editing and summaries are Authored by Joseph Vann Hamby in a collective effort to encourage publishing of V.C. Fuqua's brilliant View of Building Codes.
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