Green Home Builders

If your idea of a green home is a tepee in a field or a mud hut on a hill top, think again! Modern green homes are just like any other home, however have been built with many energy saving and alternative fuel sources as an integral part of the building. A modern green home will also be built using materials that are renewable, have been recycled or have been created with a limited negative impact on the environment.

One of the key benefits of a green home is that it is kind to the environment. This means that during the building process, wood will come from sustainable sources and materials will have been sourced locally where appropriate. However there are numerous other benefits that are of great interest to many householders. Green homes are built with energy efficiency in mind and are therefore less costly to run on a day to day basis. Green homes will also use alternative fuel sources where appropriate, for instance electricity from solar panels or even wind generated electricity from a turbine. Well insulated homes keep warm in the cooler weather and cool in the warmer weather, requiring less energy to heat or cool.

Using a Specialist Green Home Builder

Many building and construction firms are keen to demonstrate their green credentials by employing many positive environmentally friendly practices. Specialist firms of green builders, however, will always be up to date with the latest developments and initiatives, and will be passionate about green living, not purely going through the motions for the sake of looking good. A specialist green home builder will be able to advise on a solution that is tailor made for both the individual householder and the specific environment.

The process of building a green home starts early on. It is important that the land on which the home is to be built is suitable for the purpose and that the building is not going to damage the environment. This means that trees should be preserved and living areas, such as planted gardens or green roofs, are planned. The impact of the building on the environment needs to be considered; will building on the land cause problems with waste water or alter the habitat of wildlife?

The specialist green builder will advise and guide a householder through the entire process and ensure the balancing of the needs of the environment with the needs of the householder.

Finding Green Builders

Green home builders vary from small firms that work in a single area to large organizations or co-operatives who work over a larger region. Finding the right green builder will entail talking to many individuals and firms and determining the one that meets the householders' requirements. The process of building a new house is very much a collaborative process or a partnership and as such it is paramount that both parties can work together with mutual trust and respect.

Green organizations and directories will often have lists of green builders, and a great way to find reputable builders is to ask around and listen to experiences. Word of mouth is the best form of recommendation and people are often very willing to give feedback about their experience with a particular builder.

Green Home Internet Resources

There are many green building resources on the Internet. These range from builders co-operatives to websites offering information about different aspects of green homes.

Some useful websites:

• GreenBuilding.com – Information about green homes, including facts, resources and articles.

• usgbc.org - Non-profit organization dedicated to sustainable building design and construction. Developers of the LEED building rating system.

• GreenHomeBuilding.com – Website with information about sustainable architecture and green buildings.

• nahbrc.org – Green guidelines for the building of environmentally friendly homes.

Building a green home will give years of comfort and pleasure while having a minimum impact on the environment.