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Option 2: Green
A green home uses energy efficient ENERGY STAR® equipment, fixtures and appliances as well as building materials made from recycled and/or renewable resources. Green homes are designed to harness renewable resources, reduce environmental impact and maximize energy efficiency, working toward NAHB and LEED certification standards.
When it came time to create our Green Building Program, Excel turned to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and selected its ICC-700, the National Green Building Standard, as the base for our model.
NAHB created its National Green Building Standard program to meet the ICC-700 standards of the International Code Council. When you get a green certified home from Excel, it can qualify for ICC-700 confirmation, which rates homes in different green categories.
Decide Your New Home's Level of Green
Every Excel home plan already comes with many standard "green-built" points. From there, using our interactive Green Building Scoring Tool, you and your Excel Homes builder can develop a plan to help your home reach the green rating that works best with your needs, goals, and budget. Homes can be rated Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Emerald, depending on various levels of compliance with the National Green Building Standard.
Take the first step to deciding your new home's level of green with our interactive Green Building Scoring Tool.
Additional Resources
Excel makes it easy for home buyers who want to develop a plan to build a green-rated home. To learn more about our Green Building Program, please download our comprehensive Green brochure.
Frequently Asked Questions
General:
Green building is a complete approach to every part of the building process, including design, construction, energy, water efficiency and lot development. Green building uses recycled and reused materials or materials made from renewable resources.
Building green minimizes the negative impact on the environment and the community. It reduces callbacks while increasing product differentiation and profit for the homebuilder. It can also lower operating costs, improve construction methods, reduce maintenance issues, and increase home value.
There are many useful sites for green building information including:
Green materials and practices:
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average U.S. household spends more than $1,600 a year on utility bills. A large portion of this energy is wasted. Some simple tips include: set the thermostat at a comfortable level in the winter and higher in the summer months, use compact fluorescent light bulbs, air dry dishes, turn off appliances when not in use, take short showers, and wash only full loads of dishes and clothing.
Being green is contingent on the materials used to produce a building product and where these materials came from. Some products can be made with salvaged, recycled, or agricultural waste content. Some products are developed to conserve natural resources. A number of products save energy or water. And some products simply contribute to a safe, healthy environment.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has standards for evaluating energy efficiency and renewable energy, water efficiency, environmentally preferable building materials and specifications, waste reduction, toxics reduction, indoor air quality, smart growth, and sustainable development. Information can be found at
epa.gov/greenbuilding
Costs:
Often, good green buildings cost approximately the same amount as your standard home. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, good green buildings may cost only a few percentage points more than conventional designs. Over the long run, cost savings show up in energy/utility bills. Return on investment could also be seen in bettering society as a whole and creating healthy environment for you and your family.
Some experts say with more recycled product use, there may be less maintenance. For example, recycled content carpet is longer lasting and more stain resistant than non-recycled carpet.
Yes, many local and state governments have green building laws. Help from local and state government can be an important jump-start for improving communities. Many states provide green building rebates, tax credits and other financial incentives. In Pennsylvania, for example, some homeowner incentives include the Keystone Home Energy Loan Program, Adams Electric Cooperative - Energy Resource Conservation (ERC) and Supplemental Loan Program, Property Tax Assessment for Commercial Wind Farms and the Sustainable Development Fund Financing Program (PECO Territory). On February 27, 2008, the U.S. House passed a renewable energy tax incentive. This includes the extension of the tax credit for energy efficient home improvements for consumers. This bill still needs to pass through the Senate and be signed by the President to become a law.