Do you think creating an eco-friendly home would be costly? Or that the available finishes would

be unattractive? Nothing could be further from the truth. We have eco-friendly homes under

construction in our area right now. Building an eco-friendly home will pay for itself in the long

term by great energy savings and even a healthier living environment for you and your family. To

me that is priceless!

‍

You may have heard the term LEED Gold Certified. To the regular person, terminology like this

sets off alarm bells for increased dollar signs and impossible lead times to complete. The

definition of LEED Gold Certified starts by knowing about LEED (Leadership in Energy and

Environmental Design). This is the system the world uses for green building ratings. LEED

Certification provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green benefits,

which offer environmental, social and governance benefits. But what about going GOLD? The

more points a building earns, the higher the certification level; Certified level requires 40-49

points; Silver 50-59 points; Gold 60-79 points; and Platinum 80+ points.

‍

To earn credits a building must earn points within the following categories:

• Integrative Process

• Location and Transportation

• Sustainable Sites

• Water Efficiency

• Energy and Atmosphere

• Materials and Resources

• Indoor Environmental Quality

• Innovation

• Regional Priority

‍

The benefits of owning an eco-friendly, LEED Certified home are financial, environmental and

greater health. Monetarily a certified home will have tax incentives, lower operational costs and

increased home values. The indoor air quality is vastly better due to the usage of green building

materials. And for those of you working toward a better Earth, the impact of this building style

has lower carbon emissions, saves energy and water and reduces pollution.

‍

Integrating green building benefits into your home is simple. To help keep your home cooler

avoid west-facing construction. Use new systems like structurally insulated panels in building to

increase insulation levels. Choose environmentally friendly materials and avoid cabinetry and

fixtures that contain chemicals. Use energy star certified products like windows and appliances.

Install solar power. Solar power can even pay you back and help augment the local power grid.

Install a cistern to collect rainwater to be used on your property. Landscape with plants native to

your area for greater sustainability. “A sustainable home has better insulation, sealed windows

and doors, efficient cooling and heating, energy-efficient lighting and appliances, water-saving

toilets, and more. All of these components of a green home dramatically cut the cost of monthly

electricity and water bills.” (quote from Elemental Green website)

‍

Going green doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Our team is well-educated on LEED Certification

and how we can help you build or remodel with our environment in mind. Green homes offer all

the amenities of custom-built homes, but with our lovely Mother Earth in mind. Build an eco-

friendly home now and continue to reap the benefits for generations to come.

‍

‍

Stylishly yours,

‍

The Chelsee Sowder Design Team

‍

‍