| Chicago, as an environmentally-conscious city, has | | | | is an ideal way to minimize construction damage to |
| many eco-friendly, “green” homes on offer. | | | | the environment. |
| Apart from the obvious fact that a green home is | | | | 2. Utilize Energy Efficiently |
| good for the environment, homebuyers are also | | | | Green home construction integrates techniques that |
| cognizant of the potential savings that green homes | | | | utilize the energy that is available more efficiently. |
| will get them in the long run, though the initial costs | | | | This is also combined with reducing the immediate |
| may be slightly high. | | | | energy requirements. |
| A well designed green home can cut down on energy | | | | 3. Use Resources Efficiently |
| consumption by 30-60%. Owners of green homes | | | | Technological advancements and superior building |
| also enjoy many state and federal tax breaks under | | | | methods allow for efficient use of building materials |
| the Energy Policy Act, 2005. The city itself promotes | | | | and thereby lessen the strain on environment and |
| a green future by offering information on services | | | | minimize construction waste production. New homes. |
| such as Recycling, usage of CFL (compact | | | | construction in chicago is all about reusing or recycling |
| fluorescent light) bulbs and energy efficiency through | | | | almost all materials such as lumber or concrete. Using |
| the Chicago Green Home Program. | | | | bamboo for flooring, instead of the traditional wood, |
| Guidelines for Green Homes | | | | ensures that the material used for construction is |
| When you buy a new home, you would be well | | | | easily replenished because bamboo grows much |
| advised to look for an eco-friendly and energy | | | | faster than regular woods. |
| efficient one because it will save you a lot of money | | | | 4. Indoor Air Quality |
| in maintenance and energy costs in the years to | | | | Indoor air is significantly more polluted than the |
| come. The hardware costs will typically be recovered | | | | external air, so interior ventilation and moisture |
| within the first five years. When looking for a green | | | | management is an important aspect in any green |
| home, it is important that you are aware of the | | | | home design. |
| various terminologies used and the features of a | | | | 5. Conservation of Water |
| green building. | | | | A green design will ensure that a plan is in place for |
| A green home may be one that is constructed with | | | | effectively managing and using the water that is |
| energy efficiency as its goal or it may have been | | | | available. This single aspect can have ramifications on |
| built using environment-friendly construction material. | | | | more aspects of energy efficient home design than |
| There are six guidelines that the National Association | | | | any other: faucets, gutter downspouts, exterior |
| of Homebuilders uses for green homes: | | | | cisterns and all other interior and exterior plumbing |
| 1. Design and Preparation of the Lot | | | | hardware will be affected by the conservation design. |
| Construction causes heavy impact on the soil, wild life | | | | 6. Awareness, Maintenance and Operation |
| and vegetation of the environment surrounding the | | | | The homebuilder invests a considerable amount of |
| building site. Evaluating the effects of construction on | | | | time and energy on a green home project. It is up to |
| the environment will enable the builders to figure out | | | | the homeowner to maintain it, and make the best |
| how and where the impact can be minimized or | | | | out of the design by learning everything about the |
| eliminated entirely. Building on lots that have already | | | | energy saving features and its operation and |
| been used for some sort of development previously | | | | maintenance. |