Elements of Green Homes

Site placement:

• Protect and retain existing landscaping and natural features
• Select plants that have low water and pesticide needs, and generate minimum plant trimmings
• Use compost and mulches. This will save water and time.
• Use recycled paving materials, furnishings, and mulches. These help close the recycling loop.

Energy Efficiency:
Most homes can reach energy efficiency levels far beyond California standards, yet most only strive to meet the minimum standard.  It is certainly reasonable to strive for 40 percent lower energy use than mandated in the California standards.  The following strategies can contribute to this goal.

• Passive design strategies dramatically enhance a home’s energy footprint. These measures include home shape and orientation, passive solar design, and use of natural lighting
• Develop strategies to provide natural lighting. In addition to lower energy use, natural lighting has a positive impact well being
• Augmenting overhead lights with task lighting reduces energy usage
• Use a properly sized and energy-efficient heat/cooling system
• Build thermally efficient walls, roofs and floors
• Maximize light colors for roofing and wall finish materials
• Install high R-value wall and ceiling insulation. 
• Use minimal glass on east and west exposures
• Consider alternative and renewable energy sources

Materials Efficiency

• Select sustainable construction materials and products by evaluating several characteristics such as, reused and recycled content, zero or low off gassing of harmful air emissions, zero or low toxicity, sustainably harvested materials, high recyclability, durability, longevity, and local production.  Products that meet these criteria promote resource conservation and efficiency.
• Reuse and recycle construction and demolition materials.
• Water Efficiency
• Design for dual plumbing to use recycled water for toilet flushing or a gray water system that recovers rainwater or other non-potable water for site irrigation.
• Minimize wastewater by using ultra low-flush toilets, low-flow shower heads, and other water conserving fixtures.
• Use recirculating systems for centralized hot water distribution.
• Install point-of-use tankless hot water heating systems.
• Use micro-irrigation (rather than sprinklers and high-pressure sprayers) to supply water in non-turf areas.