Ron Barrow with RSB Home Builder, Inc. has become one of the select group of  professional builders, remodelers and other  industry professionals nationwide who have achieved the prestigious Certified Green Professional (CGP) designation, identifying him as someone with knowledge of the best strategies for incorporating green building principles into homes.  The CGP program is administered by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) University of Housing and sponsored by the Home Builders Association of Wayne County. The CGP curriculum incorporates a variety of information tailored to green building and business practices. The curriculum incorporates training by leading building industry practitioners and academics on a range of topics, including strategies for incorporating green building principles into homes using cost-effective methods of construction, and how green homes provide buyers with lower maintenance and good indoor air quality.  Techniques are also discussed for competitively differentiating your home products with increased indoor environmental quality as well as energy and resource efficiency.  CGP graduates are required to maintain their designation by completing continuing education including that which pertains to green building activities. Designees are required to abide by a strict code of ethics.  Details on some of the products that Ron uses in construction of green built homes can be found under the RSB Home Builder button to the left of the screen.

RSB Home Builder, Inc. currently has under construction Wayne County’s very first home to be Green Certified.  The home is expected to be completed in September 2009.  The home has already qualified for the Energy Star label as it exceeds the minimum qualification for Energy Star.  Feel free to contact me for more details about this home as well as take a drive out to Glenn Laurel to see it in person.  We will continue to update the information as construction progresses.  The home is located at 307 Glenn Laurel Drive.  Be the first to own a Green Certified home in Wayne County…call today!

If you are interested in obtaining more information, purchasing an existing green built home or having a custom home built, please contact Jane Bartlett today by calling (919) 921-1860 or e-mailing jane@janebartlettrealestate.com .

What is Green?

What goes into a green home?
Green homes incorporate environmental considerations and resource efficiency into every step of the building and development process to minimize environmental impact. The design, construction, and operation of a home must focus on energy and water efficiency, resource efficient building design and materials, indoor environmental quality, and must take the home’s overall impact on the environment into account. However, many of the processes and technologies that go into a green home happen behind the scenes and behind the walls. What can a homebuyer look for?

Look for an NAHB Research Center Certified certificate, the homeowner’s guarantee that the home was built according to one of the levels of green outlined in the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines . The NAHB Research Center is the sole certifier recognized by NAHB’s National Green Building Program.

Other key components of a green home include:

Energy-Efficient Features
Many of the energy-efficient qualities of a green home are easy to spot. Appliances, windows, and water heating systems will likely have ENERGY STAR® ratings. The home should also include efficient lighting fixtures and bulbs. Renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaic electricity and water heating systems, further decrease the overall energy consumption within the home.

Water-Efficient Features
Fixtures and appliances such as low-flow showerheads, faucets, and toilets, and ENERGY STAR dishwashers and washing machines all conserve water. Programmed, low-volume irrigation systems, rainwater collection systems, wastewater treatment systems, and hot water recirculation systems also save water.

Resource-Efficient Features
These decisions—from home size, to orientation on the lot, to floor plan layout—are made in the design of your home and development of the lot. The house orientation and design should take advantage of natural daylight to reduce lighting needs, and should use strategies to reduce heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter. The home should contain renewable materials, including rapidly-renewable wood species such as bamboo, and recycled-content materials in carpets, tiles, and concrete formulations.

Indoor Air Quality Features
The heating, air conditioning and ventilation system (HVAC) must be appropriately sized for an efficient and properly ventilated home. Fans in the kitchen and bathrooms should cycle fresh air inside, and release stale air. Low-VOC paints and finishes and wall papers should be used as well.

Outside the Home
In a green home, care should be taken to preserve trees and other vegetation native to the area. Landscaping should contain plants that are appropriate for the climate, and grouped according to water needs. Driveways and other impervious surfaces should be reduced as much as possible, and may be composed of gravel, permeable block pavers, grids, or other permeable systems.