News

LOCAL HOME BUILDERS LAUNCH NEW GREEN BUILDING PROGRAM
Program to Provide Education and Resources for Builders and Consumers

CLEVELAND (July 25, 2006) — Today the Home Builders Association of Greater Cleveland and North Coast Building Industry Association unveiled a new voluntary residential green building program called the Northeast Ohio Green Building Initiative.

The program, which was developed in partnership with the Green Building Initiative™, is based on the National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) Model Green Home Building Guidelines. It includes voluntary guidelines and a checklist that assigns points for specific green strategies and products used to improve the energy-efficiency and environmental performance of area homes, plus a variety of services aimed at providing education and marketing support. Program organizers are also working towards a third-party verification process to ensure homes constructed as part of the program adhere to the guidelines.

"This innovative program is the first of its kind in the Cleveland area," said Nate Coffman, executive director of the Home Builders Association of Greater Cleveland. "We are confident that our members will see the value of this program as more and more consumers are concerned about sustainability."

Rocco Fana, Jr., executive officer of the North Coast Building Industry Association added, "we are excited about the opportunity to provide our members with the necessary tools to build better homes for their customers. We believe that green soon will be the norm, rather than the exception in the residential construction industry."

BENEFITS OF GREEN HOMES
While green is at the core of green building, the construction trend offers many advantages beyond improved environmental performance. Owners of green homes reap various benefits, including utility savings, improved indoor air quality and less overall maintenance.

"Because a typical 2,000 square foot home generates four tons of waste material during construction, the practice of green building aims to use renewable resources and to recycle excess job-site materials whenever possible," said Coffman.

THE GUIDELINES
The NAHB's Model Green Home Building Guidelines were developed by a stakeholder group of nearly 60 builders, environmentalists, government agencies and product manufacturers. A committee of dedicated builders and remodelers reviewed and modified the guidelines and corresponding check list to ensure they were practical and applicable to Northeast Ohio's climate.

Although there is no one-size-fits-all approach to green building, the Northeast Ohio Green Building Initiative guidelines are based on fundamental green building principles including:

Minimize Solar Heat Gain

• Position the structure so the longest walls and most of the windows face north and south
• Position infrequently used rooms, such as storage spaces and service areas, on the west side to act as buffers from the sun

Maximize Natural Light and Ventilation

• Ensure that most rooms have windows on two walls
• Position windows for cross ventilation

Create a Cool Shell

• Consider light colored surfaces for walls and roofing
• Choose metal, concrete or wood roofing, which absorb less heat than asphalt shingles

Ensure Efficient Heating and Cooling

• Install a programmable thermostat
• Install ceiling fans in major rooms

Use Efficient Appliances and Lights

• Use Energy Star rated appliances
• Install task lighting to reduce the need to light whole rooms

Choose "Green" Materials

• Consider renewable and sustainable lumber for framing, doors and flooring
• Consider materials with recycled content (i.e. fly ash, slag, carpet, insulation, siding, roofing, flooring, counter tops, outdoor decking)
• Use non-chemical, bio-based cleaning products

For more information on the Northeast Ohio Green Building Initiative or the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines, visit www.neogbi.org or call Nate Coffman at the HBA of Greater Cleveland 216-447-8700 or Rocco Fana, Jr. at the North Coast BIA 440-934-1090.

ABOUT THE HBA OF GREATER CLEVELAND AND NORTH COAST BIA: The HBA of Greater Cleveland and North Coast BIA are not-for profit trade associations representing over 1,300 members involved in home building, remodeling, multifamily construction, property management, subcontracting, design, housing finance, building product manufacturing and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction.

ABOUT THE GREEN BUILDING INITIATIVE: The mission of the Green Building Initiative is to accelerate the adoption of building practices that result in energy-efficient, healthier and environmentally sustainable buildings by promoting credible and practical green building approaches. A not-for-profit education initiative, the GBI is supported by a broad cross section of organizations and individuals with an interest in residential and commercial construction. For more information on the Green Building Initiative, please visit www.thegbi.org.