"With green, also known as 'sustainable,' homebuilding gaining a stronger foothold in the country thanks largely to rising energy costs, the time is right for members of the Charleston Trident Home Builders Association to add green homes to their homebuilding repertoire, [according to Phillip Ford, executive vice president of the Charleston Trident Home Builders Association, which includes 645 homebuilders and subcontractors].
The association is encouraging its members to participate in the EarthCraft House program.
Managed by the Atlanta-based Southface Energy Institute, EarthCraft House is a blueprint for healthy, comfortable homes that reduce utility bills and protect the environment.
Participation in the EarthCraft House program is voluntary. Builders enroll in an intensive day-long course taught by EarthCraft instructors and learn about building materials and techniques used to create an EarthCraft-certified home. The course costs $300. Ford is arranging to have a course taught in the Charleston area in August.
Homes must be tested and inspected before receiving EarthCraft certification.
More than 300 EarthCraft homes have been built or are under construction in the tri-county area. Home Builders Association members building EarthCraft-certified homes include Brentwood Homes Inc., Bridgetown Construction Co., Passailaigue Homes Inc., Sabal Homes LLC, Simonini Builders of South Carolina, Structures Building Co. and the Verdi Group LLC.
About 400 EarthCraft homes will be built in the Lowcountry by the end of this year, Ford said.
Among the elements of an EarthCraft house are the use of recycled and natural-content building materials; minimal construction waste; durability; quality insulation, air-sealing measures, and heating and cooling equipment; energy-efficient lighting and appliances, such as the Energy Star product line; high indoor air quality; a site plan designed to control erosion and preserve trees; and low-flush toilets, low-flow showerheads and other indoor water-conserving features.
EarthCraft homes tend to cost anywhere from 1% to 10% more than traditional homes."
For the full Charleston Regional Business Journal article: http://www.charlestonbusiness.com/pub/13_14/news/9790-1.html
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