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Green/Progressive Builders
Are you planning a green building project but are feeling overwhelmed by the new choices and regulations? A green or progressive builder may help you to negotiate what can feel like a minefield, so that your home is environmentally friendly as possible. Read on to learn more.
What is a Green/Progressive Builder?
A green builder, also referred to as a progressive builder, is a builder that consciously keeps sustainability in mind when they are working on a building project. For example, a green builder will consciously make an effort to include recycling and efficiency techniques wherever possible throughout the home. Rather than follow established building methods, green or progressive builders aim to think outside of the square in order to find workable alternatives to traditional designs and materials. Green builders aim to make each building they are involved with as environmentally friendly as possible.
Green builders may choose to follow or use the Green Star rating in their building projects. The aim of this voluntary scheme is to evaluate the environmental design of buildings. There are nine categories: management; indoor environment quality; energy; transport; water; materials; land use and ecology; emissions; and innovation. A 4 star rating means “Best Practice”, a 5 star rating is “Australian Excellence”, and a 6 star rating is “World Leadership”. Professionals that are Green Star accredited have a thorough understanding of the scheme, what it contains, and how it is applied to projects.
What Green/Progressive Builders Incorporate into Homes
Green/progressive builders aim to use green building practices wherever possible throughout the home. The goal is to reduce the impact of the building upon the environment and also human health. Some practices that green builders consciously use in their projects include:
• choosing the optimal building site
• protecting the existing landscape
• installing recycling strategies and to use recycled materials where possible
• using passive design techniques
• designing the building to take advantage of natural light
• installing a heating/cooling system of the correct size and in conjunction with the correct insulation techniques
• the use of alternative energy sources
• the use of sustainable building materials
• rainwater tanks and systems
• installing water efficient fittings and fixtures
• solar hot water systems
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