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What You Can Do to Build Green
As you plan for a building or remodeling project, give careful consideration to creating a home that will enjoy lower utility bills, improved indoor air quality, reduced maintenance cost while helping to preserve the Earth's limited natural resources.
Green building is not an "all or nothing" endeavor - event modest measures can reap significant benefits.
Green Building steps that you can take in your building or remodeling projects:
• Engineered lumber
• Recycled decking & building materials
• Formaldehyde-free building materials
• Third-party-certified sustainable harvested woods
• Fiber cement siding
• Concrete with high fly-ash content
• Zero/Low VOC & Non-petroleum based finishes
• Fluorescent lighting
• Low E Windows & Doors
• Energy Star® appliances
• Programmable thermostats
• Cellulose insulation
• Passive solar heating & light
• Landscaping for water conservation & climate control
• Recycling demolition & construction waste
Discuss the environmental impact and ask your contractor about eco-frinedly options and the benefits of making your home more "green".
Green Homes in BRAG Ann Arbor Events
Visit our annual spring Home Garden & Lifestyle Show to learn from the exhibitors and talk about specific questions and aspects of your home or project. Also, make sure to tour local homes in our annual Remodelers Home Tour and Showcase/Parade of Homes which feature everything from nationally recognized achievements in green building to single rooms with improved energy efficiency and unique "green" features.
Energy Efficiency Incentives
Aside from sustainable materials and environmentally responsible building practices, a home should be energy efficent. A home that minimizes wasted energy can also save you lots of money on utility bills! Plus, the goverment and other organizations offer incentives for specific improvements to your home.
Learn about financial benefits offered with these links to the Database of State Initiatives for Renewables & Energy Efficiency website DSIREusa.org.
Personal Tax Credit
Energy Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit
State Loan Program
Michigan Saves - Home Energy Loan Program
Utility Rebate Programs
See All Currently Available Programs
LEED Certified Homes
BRAG Ann Arbor members have been among the first in the nation to obtain LEED Certifications for new and remodeled homes. Therefore, the Greater Ann Arbor area has a high concentration of incredible homes that have earned the highest distinctions by the US Green Building Council. Many of these homes have been featured in our Remodelers Home Tour and Showcase/Parade of Homes. For more about the LEED (Leadership in Energy Efficient Design) Home Certification, visit www.usgbc.org/LEED.
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Certified Green Professional
(CGP Designation)
Many BRAG Ann Arbor members have completed professional training and obtained this designation from the National Association of Home Builders. CGP list
Green Built Certification
Created by the Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Ann Arbor, the primary focus of the Built Green Initiative is to promote the use of building products, services and techniques that integrate human health, community and natural resource concerns into building design and construction - creating buildings that are healthier for occupants and the environment, and which deplete fewer resources.
The Initiative will carry out this mission by educating builders, remodelers, trade contractors and other segments of the construction industry, key decision makers and the community on implementing green building practices without compromising the quality of the built environment.
The Green Built Certification Program information can be downloaded here.
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| The Green Built Committee is proud to announce its affiliation with Green Built Michigan. For more information, please visit www.greenbuiltmichigan.org. |
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