Habitat for Humanity chapters across the country, including the San Francisco and Charlotte, North Carolina chapters, have made strides in recent years toward building greener homes. Not only is this helping the organization’s sustainability goals, it’s also making it possible to build homes that cost much less to live in — an important feature for the low-income families who reside in Habitat houses.
Many Habitat for Humanity homes are so green they have been built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification standards–the toughest standards for energy efficient building. To create these super efficient homes, Habitat uses many of the latest products such as low-flow shower heads, spray cellulose installation, low flow plumbing, double pane windows, tankless water heaters, and programmable thermostats. Good design with windows in the optimal places, along with proper landscaping also aids these aims in being more energy efficient.
Building materials, like standing seam metal roofs, bamboo cabinets, and recycled tile flooring have been chosen in many Habitat homes for their durability and low impact energy requirements for construction.
Solar panels have even been added to some homes. Although these rarely provide all the home’s energy needs, they cut the amount of fossil-fuel based energy needed to run the home.
Air quality is also addressed in designing and building most Habitat for Humanity homes. Proper ventilation is used along with materials with low amounts of VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds). Low and no-VOC paint is also commonly used to reduce indoor pollution.
These building materials and methods may cost a little extra up front, but they provide quality houses that will last and use much less energy in the long run. Since the occupants are low-income families who are counting every penny, this can help their bottom line tremendously. Even more, many families who purchases Habitat for Humanity homes can qualify for energy tax credits.
