Climate Zone Variations Now Available for NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines

Eight addenda are now available for the National Association of Home Builders’ Model Green Home Building Guidelines, relating to the eight climate zones in the U.S.:

The addenda include recommended adaptations to the guidelines based on temperature, humidity, precipitation and other geographic considerations. In terms of siting, for example, northward orientation of windows is preferred in cooling climates (Zones 1, 2 and 3), along with generous shading of windows in other orientations through the use of overhangs, trees, landscape features, shutters and screens. However, mixed climate zones pose greater challenges due to alternating heating and cooling requirements. Preference in these cases should be given to southward orientation of windows (< 30 ° deviation) and providing overhangs and other measures to shade windows in summer while allowing solar gain in winter.

By the end of this year, the GBI will have helped 15 home builder associations (HBAs) to develop and launch local programs based on the national guidelines. However, with many more expressing interest, we have sought to simplify the process—through improvements such as the climate zone adaptations. Developed by the environmental marketing firm TerraChoice and reviewed by the NAHB, the addenda are available to HBAs on request. Please send an email to info@thegbi.org.