Why should you consider building green?

Environmental impact: Green homes produce fewer carbon emissions because of more efficient energy use. Building a green home means you’re helping to keep our earth clean and healthy!

Save money: Green homes save you money in the long run because energy-efficient materials help keep energy costs down. While these materials may be more expensive up front, you’ll be happy you chose to build green after a few months of low utility bills!

Protect your health: Many construction materials contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that can have harmful effects on your health. Traditional materials can also become hosts to mold and moisture, further reducing your air quality. Green construction uses non-VOC products to make sure that your home is having a positive effect on the earth and your health.

What are common mistakes homeowners make when designing a green home?

Size: Many prospective homeowners assume that building a green home means having a tiny house. While tiny houses are certainly trendy right now, this is not true! Green homes come in all shapes and sizes. The Navigate Homes team is ready to work with you to design an energy-efficient, sustainable home that fits your needs.

Location: Choosing a location is incredibly important if you plan to run your home on solar energy. Solar-powered homes need to have consistent sun access during the middle of each day. Navigate Homes has the largest selection of premium land and our team will make sure that your lot will keep your home powered up.

Thinking about insulation: A well-insulated home is a happy home! However, many homeowners do not consider their insulation options and end up with homes with poor heat retention and loss. Navigate Homes has strong relationships with local businesses that will ensure your home is well insulated and energy efficient.

Knowing your materials: In this day and age, there is an eco-friendly option for every material. Our design team will help you find these products locally and install them in your dream home. Interested in learning more about eco-friendly flooring? Read through Randy’s Flooring’s product options and learn more on their blog.

Putting too much emphasis on the “Green” designation: There are many ways to be green and it is always the best idea for homeowners to do what is smart, cost-efficient, and the most beneficial to their needs. Sometimes homeowners decide to use water-saving faucets, showers, and toilets, which are considered green and end up absolutely hating them because of the low water pressure they provide. Be smart, do your research, and make sure your decisions make sense for your needs. The Navigate Homes team will be with you at each step to give advice and make recommendations.

Does Navigate Homes have experience in green home building?

Navigate Homes has decades of experience organizing and supervising home construction projects from planning and budgeting to acquiring permits. It has led many home construction projects that incorporate green building techniques. All homes built by Navigate Homes are energy efficient and are rated on the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index. Our team takes pride in the fact that our homes consistently rank high on the scale for energy efficiency.

Is there a significant cost difference between building a green home in the short and long term?

Cost is dependent on the builder used, the scale of “green” wanted (such as certified green versus energy efficient), and the products and fixtures featured in the home. Typically there is an additional cost if you choose to officially certify the home as green.

In the long term, the cost of energy will be less for a home that uses high-efficiency equipment and is well insulated. Navigate Homes keeps all of these things in mind as it helps you plan your dream home, regardless of how “green” you want it to be.

What qualifies a home as a certified green home?

There is a difference between a certified green home and an eco-friendly, sustainable home. To get a certified green home, you use a scoring system. The homeowner hires a third party to verify that everything was done according to the rules, and findings are submitted to the rating company or lab that does the green home certification.

While they are non-certified, energy-efficient homes are still great for the environment and your utility bill. One thing that distinguishes between the two is that certified green homes may require the additional cost of going through the certification process while energy-efficient homes do not.  Most of our clients decide to go with energy-efficient homes without the certification. When building your energy-efficient home, we always pay close attention to the following criteria:

• Energy efficiency
• Durability of materials
• Air quality
• Views and daylighting
• Temperature comfort

The Navigate Homes team would love to help you design an energy-efficient home that matches your vision and budget. Contact us so we can help make your dream home become a reality!