WHAT IS GREEN BUILDING?

Green Building refers to construction practices that promote the economic health and well being of your family, the community and the environment. This is accomplished by using renewable local resources for building materials, using products that ensure energy efficiency, and by reducing waste on site. Frank Betz Associates home plans are easy to build using green building practices.

Green Building refers to construction practices that promote the economic health and well being of your family, the community and the environment. This is accomplished by using renewable local resources for building materials, using products that ensure energy efficiency, and by reducing waste on site. Frank Betz Associates home plans are easy to build using green building practices. For more information visit www.usgbc.org

Conserve Resources:

Choosing an exterior material that will require minimal repainting and waterproofing will optimize or reduce the use of wood. Recycled-content decking, reclaimed lumber and other products put waste to good use, while providing quality and durability that often exceed conventional materials. For example, decking materials made of recycled plastic mixed with wood waste fibers can last up to five times longer than wood decking, and never needs to be treated or painted. To find a local supplier visit www.green2green.org

Save Energy on Heating and Cooling:

Energy efficiency makes good sense for homeowners: an energy-efficient house saves money by reducing utility bills year after year, and provides other valuable benefits. Better insulation, for example, reduces uncomfortable drafts, and double-pane windows make for a quieter home. Reflect heat away from your home by installing radiant barrier on the underside of your roof. A radiant barrier is a sheet of aluminum foil with paper backing that can reduce heat gains by 95%. For more tips visit www.greenbuilding.com

Save Water and Water Heating Energy:

In the U.S. showers account for 18% of indoor water use and 37% of home hot water use. Installing a high performance shower head saves up to 60% less water than a traditional shower head and will pay for itself in 3 months from water heating and energy savings alone. Front loading washers can save 30-50% of water verses a top loading washer. For more information on saving energy visit www.lowimpactliving.com

Energy Efficient Lighting:

Sunshine is free. Take advantage of it as much as possible. Properly installed windows and sky lights help illuminate your home without flipping a switch. Installing compact fluorescent light bulbs may cost more initially, but use 75% less electricity and lasts 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. Learn more by visiting www.energystar.org

Frank Betz Associates has designed two new collections, The EasyLiving Home® Collection and The Narrow Lot Collection to make the best use of living space on a small footprint. The floor plans are beautifully designed with popular features such as coffered ceilings, a fireplace, and a luxury master suite. Frank Betz Associates newest plans are the perfect choice for a green neighborhood development.