“We love the finished product and feel that we lucked out when we decided to go with Seattle Design Build.”
Gary
Edmonds, WA
Green Building
/FAQ
What is a Green Built Home?
- Buildings that have minimal adverse impacts on local, regional and global ecosystems.
- Buildings that are energy efficient in their operations.
- Buildings that are comfortable, safe and healthy for their occupants.
- Buildings that are built in an environmentally responsible manner from low-environmental-impact materials.
What are the benefits that a consumer should expect when Building Green?
- Building Green is better for the environment.
- Building Green will lower utility bills and energy use.
- Building Green will be better for family and overall health.
- Building Green is synonymous with quality. A Green Built home will be built with energy efficient regulations and codes to insure maximum indoor-air quality and longevity.
Will Building Green cost more then a conventional construction project?
- In most cases, the initial construction cost of Building Green will be higher, but over time, a consumer will see a return on those green investments through tax credits, lower household bills and reduced operating costs.
- The cost of construction on a home is only part of what a consumer will spend on it throughout the years they will live there. Maintenance and operation are a significant part of the overall cost. With a Green Built Home, the operating costs will be lower and will save money throughout the years.
- Building Green doesn’t have to cost more, actually 80% of things we can do to become more sustainable are no more expensive then standard procedures:
- Run your dishwasher only when it’s full.
- Replace your current incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) will save you nearly $30 over the life of each bulb.
- Set your thermostat for heating no higher then 70ºF. Each degree below 70ºF saves you 3% of the energy used to heat your home.
- Use a timer or programmable thermostat on your air conditioner and heater.
- When shopping for major appliances, computers, and lighting, look for ENERGY STAR.
- Shift energy-intensive tasks - like laundry and dishwashing - to off-peak energy-demanding hours (mornings, nights and weekends).
- For laundry, only wash and dry full loads, and always use cold water.
