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 Better by Design »
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 easy 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 solutionIn 2007, the pilot year of the Better by Design program was extremely successful. A total of 28 Habitat for Humanity homes were built to EarthCraft green building standards with the participation of 13 Virginia affiliates. In 2008 over 30 EarthCraft Habitat homes were built in Virginia with the participation of 15 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 certification, a house must be built following a list of technical guidelines and pass a comprehensive inspection to ensure energy efficiency and minimal environmental impact. These guidelines are stringent but flexible enough to allow for a variety of approaches to environmental construction, thereby making it easier for local Habitat affiliates to meet requirements. 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 environmentally friendly.
Better by Design GrantsVirginia affiliates who were building to EarthCraft standards during 2007 and 2008 were eligible to apply for a Better by Design grant that was administered by Habitat Virginia. Each grant consisted of $3000 to compensate affiliates for any added costs they may incur by building their homes to EarthCraft standards. Additionally, Habitat Virginia paid for affiliates to attend a mandatory EarthCraft House builder training and paid the costs of getting Habitat homes certified by EarthCraft inspectors. The Better By Design grant funding for 2008 has all been used. We expect another round of funding to be available by April 1, 2009; however, we cannot guarantee that funding at this point in time. However, Habitat Virginia can offer guidance from Steve Reed, our EarthCraft Specialist, who is funded through an HFHI Home Depot Green Building Grant. We urge all Virginia affiliates to build to EarthCraft standards in 2009 and beyond. Please contact Steve Reed at sreed@habitatvirginia.org or (804)929-8395 to find out more about building Habitat EarthCraft homes. Steve is a UVA graduate in architecture, is a certified HERS rater, has been trained by EarthCraft, and worked in construction as an AmeriCorps member for Greater Charlottesville Habitat for Humanity.
More useful information on green designNAHB Research Center PowerPoint presented by Joe Wiehagen at July 11, 2008 Sustainable Building Conference. Click here
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 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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