ShareThisBuilding Green
Building Green, Building Better
Building green doesn’t mean building small or different, it means building better. It’s about better efficiency, for lower energy payments and more comfort. It’s about better quality, for less maintenance and higher performance. It’s about better health through the use of non-toxic paints, finishes and furnishings. It’s about better resource use, from the land your home or office is on, to the water it consumes, and to the materials used in constructing or remodeling your structure.
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Dolph Creek Townhomes, Portland, OR.Project Certifications:
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Building green is no longer a luxury driven by an earth-conscious minority. Worries about our recovering but unsteady economy have prompted us all to look at how energy efficiency can help our pocketbooks. Health and allergy concerns stemming from chemicals in our environment have pushed us to look closely at the homes where we spend two thirds of our time. Restrictions on use of diminishing supplies of clean water have affected us in many communities.
Reduction of carbon emissions is no less important. Our built environment, from homes to offices, and from hospitals to schools, is currently responsible for nearly 75% of power generation needs, making it the single most significant contributor to greenhouse gas production.
Building Green, Building Value
Building green is increasingly affordable while offering high long-term value. Builders and manufacturers alike have noticed the growing market share of green-certified homes. Builders are seeking to serve this expanding sector by offering multiple levels of green certification. Manufacturers are helping to mainstream and reduce costs for more efficient and sustainable materials and equipment. This is good news for homebuyers -- certified homes can sell for as little as $200,000 in some areas.
Earth Advantage Institute plays a unique and critical role in the green building industry, providing education and guidance to builders and other professionals, as well as independent certification of new homes, communities and commercial structures.