Green building is a trend to watch: janeAnne Narrin explores the growing interest in creating eco-conscious homes.

There's a trend in building these days. The trend is toward designing, constructing and operating high performance "green" buildings. Such buildings reduce the negative impact on natural surroundings and benefit those who work or live there by providing them with a healthier indoor environment. More and more, developers are enrolling in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) classes to learn how to select environmentally responsible locations. LEED is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. "LEED gives building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings' performance," reports the Council. And, LEED promotes a "whole-building approach to sustainability by" recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

Just the other day, an out-of-state developer confronted me: "So WHAT if the Green Building Council says that LEED-certified buildings are leading the transformation of the built environment," he said. "So what if they have lower operating costs, tax rebates, zoning allowances and other incentives!" "Well, Mr. Jones," I replied, "chances are high that from Atlanta to Asheville to Santa Monica, developers are experiencing a huge demand for sustainable homes. Possibly, it's time for you to capitalize on your opportunity here. Why not be an 'industry innovator'?"

Our conversation got me thinking. There are about as many shades of green as you see in the early light on an Appalachian mountainside. And our levels of attraction, commitment and motivation to the green cause are unique to each of us. Poll homebuyers and investors and you are sure to find certain green attributes have more appeal than others. For example, indoor air quality may be one person's primary focus while whole house ventilation or low-VOC paint may be another's concern. But "greenies" do share one thing in common: most will tell you they love knowing that their grandkids are in a nontoxic environment.

Whatever green attributes one desires, LEED gives building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings. LEED provides a method for measuring and documenting successful completion of each phase of building. The LEED rating system just may transform the built environment to a sustainable environment. Structured around the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) LEED rating system for new LEED homes. these developers will soon be able to implement the seven criteria for creating healthier, greener, more efficient homes and register for LEED certification. Interestingly. there are a number of levels builders can achieve. Projects may be awarded Certified. Silver, Gold. or Platinum certification. The table above shows the categories of LEED certification as well as the point system that determines the various levels.

Builders are not the only people who can use LEED. The LEED program offers training workshops and a professional accreditation program to develop and encourage green building expertise across the entire building industry. Everyone. including architects, real estate professionals, facility managers, engineers, interior designers, landscape architects, construction managers, lenders and government officials, can participate in the program.

In addition to LEED, there are many other certification programs that can assess the green qualities of a home built with an eye toward the environment and sustainability.

The NC HealthyBuilt Homes Program also provides a certificate, like LEED, for homes that meet "green home guidelines" and are built by residential builders who practice sustainable high-performance building strategies. These strategies make for comfortable. healthy and affordable places that reduce energy and water usage, promote renewable energy use and help protect the land where the home is built.

NC HealthyBuilt Homes' vision is based on the three P's--people, planet and pocketbook. 'Planet' (or environmentally responsible building practices) is integrated with the idea of enhancing the lives of 'people' in an economical manner so it helps their monthly 'pocketbook.' The NC HealthyBuilt Home Program is moving the North Carolina market toward lower operating costs, lower utility bills for heating and cooling, increased comfort, improved indoor air quality, the creation of lasting value, third party review, and building with health in mind for a lowered environmental impact. North Carolina's "green home guidelines" can be found by visiting http://healthybuilthomes.org/docs/ HBH_Statewide_Checklist.pdf.

I sense that everyone wants to play a part in keeping our natural areas beautiful for ourselves, our children and their children. But people sometimes simply don't know where or how to start. The word hasn't gotten out to them yet that investing in green-built homes is a major way that they can do it, feel good about it, and feel good about their own home as well as the future of their children. It is very empowering to be a part of sustainable practices and certification programs like LEED and the NC HealthyBuilt Homes Program that can help interested parties plan and build or remodel a home to meet important green principles. While there are many definitions of green, the impact is universal: a happier, healthier home and environment.

Sources: www.usgbc.org, www.livinghomes.os/press/press_leed1.html

janeAnne Narrin, M.A., C.S.W., poet, REALTOR[R], ECO, e-PRO, nature-lover is the founder of the ECO--Steward Real Estate Firm in Asheville, North Carolina. She loves a spirit of stewardship, www.ecosteward.com