Going Green. Have You Tried It?
“It’s not easy being green”, so sang Kermit, the frog, on Sesame Street. And that could very well be the lament of America’s HomeBuilders trying to work their way through the tangle of what it means exactly to build a “green” house. (No pun intended)
Earlier this 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 ot 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.