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 Better by Design »
lass=primaryColor> What is green and sustainable design?
Green and sustainable design refers to increasing the efficiency with which buildings use energy, and reducing building impacts on human health and the environment. Green homeowners benefit from having lower utility payments due to reduced energy consumption; however, the benefits of green building go far beyond economics. There are many environmental and health considerations that make green homes much more advantageous than conventional structures, and recent advances in this sector make building green easy and affordable. The need to make Habitat homes green and sustainableTraditionally, Habitat homes have been built using the simplest of design features and construction materials. There has always been an ever-present need to keep costs low and construction facile enough for the volunteer workforce. However, building green and sustainable structures can help low-income home owners lower their utility payments and maintenance costs.
More efficient and sustainable homes are also better for the environment. Studies have indicated that 30% of American green house gas emissions come from buildings, and construction and demolition generate 136 million tons of waste every year in the United States. These statistics further support the need to build Habitat homes that are green and sustainable. The Better by Design solutionThe pilot year of the Better by Design program was extremely successful. Twenty-eight Habitat for Humanity homes in Virginia in 2007 were built to EarthCraft standards with the participation of thirteen affiliates. In 2008 our goal is to build forty EarthCraft homes in Virginia with the participation of twenty affiliates. EarthCraft House is a residential green building program that was created in 1999 as a partnership between the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association and the Southface Energy Institute. EarthCraft homes are more affordable, healthier, more comfortable, and better for the environment than traditional structures.
In order to obtain EarthCraft EarthCraft has been endorsed by the Home Builders Association of Virginia and the Virginia Sustainable Building Network as the preferred Green Building Program in Virginia. Building Habitat homes to EarthCraft standards will create living spaces that are green and sustainable, and by extension more affordable and environmental.
Better by Design GrantsAll Virginia affiliates are eligible to apply for a Better by Design grant that will be administered by Habitat Virginia. Each grant will consist of $3,000 to compensate affiliates for any added cost they may incur by upgrading their Habitat home to EarthCraft. Additionally, Habitat Virginia will pay for affiliates to attend a mandatory EarthCraft House builder training and will cover the cost of getting Habitat homes certified by EarthCraft inspectors. To apply for a Better by Design grant, please contact Habitat for Humanity Virginia. The application is available in the For Affiliates section under Better by Design. Grant awards will be based largely on a first come, first serve basis.
More useful information on green design | |
 Green Products The Blue Ridge Eco Shop provides materials for projects small and large. They carry a full line of building and home products made by manufacturers such as: AFM Safecoat, EnviroSafe Paints, Back to Nature, Earthshade, Hawthorne Flooring, Multi-Pure Filiters, Austin Aire, Velvit Oil, and Whedon Products. They are located in Charlottesville, Virginia and were awarded 2008 best small business by the Virginia Sustainable Building Network. To learn more, visit them online at www.bluerRidgeEcoShop.com
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