RRBuilders is committed to building green new homes and/or renovations/additions. Building a green home means that the home will be energy efficient, healthy to live in and environmentally more friendly pre through post construction.
Green building may cost more up front, however homeowners see savings through lower operating costs over the life of the home. Some benefits, such as improving occupant health, comfort, productivity, reducing pollution and landfill waste are not easily quantified but also have a value to them.
Some elements of Green Buildings:
Energy Efficiency - Passive design strategies can dramatically affect building energy performance. Develop strategies to provide natural lighting. Install high-efficiency lighting systems with advanced lighting controls. Use a properly sized and energy-efficient heat/cooling system in conjunction with a thermally efficient building shell. Consider alternative energy sources such as photovoltaic and geothermal.
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. Use dimensional planning and other material efficiency strategies. These strategies reduce the amount of building materials needed and cut construction .
Water Efficiency - 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 hot water heating systems for more distant locations. Use rainwater collection systems to help with irrigation.
Siting - minimize the impact to existing landscaping and natural features, select plants that have low water/pesticide needs and generate minimum trimmings. Protect and retain existing landscaping and natural features. Select plants that have low water and pesticide needs, and generate minimum plant trimmings. Recycled content paving materials, furnishings, and mulches help close the recycling loop.
RRBuilders, LLC | PO Box 1567 New Canaan, CT 06840 | (203) 536.3831 | richardrosano@rrbuilders.com Copyright 2010. RR Builders, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
