So We've All Heard of the New "Green" Buildings. 

You're probably asking yourself, "what makes a building green?" More importantly, why would I want to own a Green home or work in a Green office? At Efficiency First we often tell people to think of Green Buildings as this:

1. Energy Efficient design - Green Buildings often go further than programs like Energy Star to ensure that your home is built with a tight building envelope that inhibits air infiltration, seals ductwork,  high efficiency appliances and most important highly efficient HVAC and water heating equipment. 

2. Environmentally Conscious site design - Examples of this are leaving indiginous plants onsite undisturbed which also require less watering, erosion control plans to reduce run-off and damage to soil, etc. 

3. Resource Efficient Building Materials - 30% of all waste in landfills is a result of construction waste! Green Building encourages less use of lumber and building material waste through planning and the use of pre-fabricated materials and advanced building techniques; the result is a more durable home.  Recycled materials are also encouraged.

4. Indoor Air Quality - We spend 90% of our time indoors! So why not make sure you the air you breathe in is the air you were intended to breathe and isn't contaminated with radon, carbon monoxide, or VOCs. Not sure what those things are? Contact us for more information.

5. Water Conservation - Contrary to common belief, fresh water is becoming an increasingly scarce commodity. In many parts of the world, it already is. So why not start in your home? Green building awards points for those who choose water conservations measures. After all, it is a necessity for life.

This is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Green Building! Green Building is quickly becoming the norm as some stated have even adopted it as state law for builders. You can gain an edge and have a marketable home if you decide to sell by building "green." That is without noting the favorable mortgages in addition to state and local rebates you can get.  Aside from being "green" or sustainable, it's just smart.

Efficiency First offers qualification for the following Green Home Programs: