Green Building Update - 06/24/2008 (Plain Text Version)

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In this issue:
Taking Measured Steps to Green
The ‘First State’ Welcomes First Gold Home
Green Building Demand Keeps Business Pumping, Survey Says
New Toolkit Spells out NAHB Green Options for HBAs
Certified Green Professional Ranks Continue to Grow
Audio Seminar Makes Business Case for Green
EPA WaterSense Draft Released for Comment
Speakers Sought for 2009 Green Building Conference

EPA WaterSense Draft Released for Comment

NAHB is preparing comments on the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s draft specifications spelling out the new WaterSense program.

The voluntary program would label new homes that include a variety of water-efficient products, fixtures, and practices required to earn the WaterSense label.

The specifications resemble the voluntary Energy Star® program that rates homes for energy efficiency. And like Energy Star, WaterSense-rated products can earn builders and remodelers points under the National Green Building Standard.

To earn the WaterSense label, the homes would need to include WaterSense-rated rated toilets and faucets, Energy Star-rated dishwashers and clothes washers, measures to reduce maximum water flow from fixtures, and insulated hot-water pipes, according to the draft specifications.

Outdoors, the yard must be landscaped using plants requiring less water, including less turf, and any irrigation systems must be installed by a WaterSense-approved contractor.

According to an EPA press release, WaterSense-rated homes are designed to be 20% more efficient and save more than 10,000 gallons of water per year than traditional, non-rated homes.

EPA hopes to finalize the program, including third-party certification methodology, by early next year. Additional information is available by contacting NAHB Green Building Standards Manager Kevin Morrow at 800-368-5242, ext. 8375.