Question
How do I get started if I want to build a green home?
Answer
There are a number of resources available to people looking to build a green home, or renovate an existing home. Renovating an existing home rather than building a new one is an excellent way to be more resource-efficient with your home.
In addition to the hundreds published books on green building, USGBC has the REGREEN guidelines for green remodeling and renovations, and the LEED for Homes Rating System for new homes and major gut rehabs. Looking over these documents can be a good place to start in thinking about what green measures you would like to implement in your home.
The next step is finding a design professional who can help you plan your home. Since green building is an emerging field, the challenge is often in finding building professionals who are experienced and enthusiastic about building green. The LEED Accredited Professional directory is a good place to find design and construction professionals who are familiar with LEED and green building in general. The LEED for Homes Provider in your area may have some good recommendations. Another great resource on this front is to look for local builders with experience building LEED-certified homes. These professionals have experience building green homes to a high standard and can help to guide you through the process.
