- Why Green
- News
- Resources

News

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

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (December 1, 2006) — Today the Interior Alaska Building Association unveiled a new voluntary residential green building program called the Interior Alaska Green Building Initiative™.

The program, which was developed in partnership with the Green Building Initiative™, is based on the National Association of Home Builder's (NAHB) Model Green Home Building Guidelines and provides area builders with a set of 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. The program will also provide local builders a variety of services, including 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 Alaska," said Sasha Zemanek, executive officer of the Interior Alaska Building Association. "We are confident that our members will see the value of this program as more and more consumers are concerned about sustainability." "We're excited about the opportunity to provide our members with the necessary tools to build better homes for their customers. We believe that green will soon be the norm, rather than the exception in the residential construction industry," added Zemanek.

BENEFITS OF GREEN HOMES
While green is at the core of green building, the construction trend goes well beyond saving the environment. 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, as well as recycling excess job-site materials whenever possible," said Zemanek.

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 voluntary guidelines in an effort to ensure the guidelines and corresponding check list were practical and applicable to Interior Alaska's climate.

Although there is no one-size-fits-all approach to green building, the Interior Alaska Green Building Initiative guidelines will be 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 Interior Alaska Green Building Initiative or the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines, visit www.thegbi.org/interioralaska or call Sasha Zemanek at the Interior Alaska Building Association 907/455-6650.

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.