Dallas the Latest to Hop on the Green Building Bandwagon
The Home Builders Association of Greater Dallas launched its new Green Building Program Aug. 12 in conjunction with the grand opening of the “high-performance green” Nevada Court subdivision in Denton, where consumers got an opportunity to tour a green-built home.

Bob Morris, the association’s executive vice president, said that the new program “will serve as a platform for builders to meet both consumer needs and the needs of the region on issues such as energy usage, air quality and water use restrictions.”

The local effort will maintain a database of green builders and green-built homes in the Dallas area, and with support from the Green Building Initiative and NAHB, will provide local builders with resources and technical support.

“The future of building is looking greener as more home builders and home owners focus on energy-efficient and resource-efficient homes,” said Dan Fette, chairman of the HBA’s Green Building Program. “In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average home or business can save as much as 50% on their utility costs” using green building practices, he said. “But beyond energy efficiency, the program will explore strategies that can be used at every phase of the construction and operation of buildings, including indoor air quality, water usage and waste reduction.”

The Dallas program is based on the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines, which include the following:

• Site Management and Waste Recycling. Efficient site management and waste recycling on the job site through thoughtful erosion control, tree protections and waste-recycling efforts will reduce the impact of housing on the environment. 
• Water Efficiency. The approximately 64 gallons used each day in the average home can be reduced to 20 gallons by employing water-efficient products and native landscaping practices, resulting in lower water bills and conservation of scarce water resources.
• Energy Efficiency. Energy consumption is of paramount concern to today’s home buyers and reducing energy consumption in new homes can help improve air quality by reducing power plant emissions.
• Indoor Air Quality. After energy efficiency, home buyers are most concerned with the quality of the air in their homes, particularly in the Dallas area where there can be high levels of allergens and pollen.
• Material Usage. Resource-efficient construction practices and materials reduce waste while creating a home with excellent building performance.
• Home Owner Education. Because poor maintenance can minimize the advantages of even the most efficient homes, builders must help educate the buyer on the home’s green features and any special maintenance that is required.

For more information on NAHB’s green building resources, e-mail Calli Schmidt, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8132.
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