Local Montana home builders launch new green building program

On June 20, 2008, the Montana Home Builders Association and Missoula Building Industry Association unveiled a new voluntary residential green building program called the Montana Green Building Program. This new program —partnered with the Green Building Initiative™ (GBI)— is designed to help bring more energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly homes to Montana by providing a baseline for practical green building methods and training resources for local builders. The program was unveiled during the Montana Building Industry Association State Convention in Missoula, Mont.

"This innovative program is the first of its kind in the state of Montana," said John Freer, chairman of the Green Building Committee at the Montana Home Builders Association. "We are proud to introduce the Montana Green Building Program. This comprehensive green building program will help more homeowners appreciate the numerous benefits of green built homes."

BENEFITS OF GREEN HOMES

Green building in residential construction offers many advantages beyond just improved environmental performance. Owners of green homes reap various benefits, including utility savings, improved indoor air quality and less overall maintenance. Not surprisingly, green homes also have less negative impact on the environment by saving energy and reducing waste, particularly during construction.

"Because a typical 2,000 square foot home generates four tons of waste material during construction, the practice of green building aims to use renewable resources and to recycle excess job-site materials whenever possible," said Freer. "When you also factor in improved indoor air quality and reduced environment impact, you really begin to see the true value of a green home."

COMMON GREEN BUILDING BEST PRACTICES

Although there is no one-size-fits-all approach to green building, Green Build Montana's green building guidelines are based on fundamental green building principles including:

Minimize Solar Heat Gain

Position the structure so the longest walls and most of the windows face north and south
Position infrequently used rooms, such as storage spaces and service areas, on the west side to act as buffers from the sun
Maximize Natural Light and Ventilation
Ensure that most rooms have windows on two walls
Position windows for cross ventilation
Create a Cool Shell
Consider light colored surfaces for walls and roofing
Choose metal, concrete or wood roofing, which absorb less heat than asphalt shingles
Ensure Efficient Heating and Cooling
Install a programmable thermostat
Install ceiling fans in major rooms
Use Efficient Appliances and Lights
Use Energy Star rated appliances
Install task lighting to reduce the need to light whole rooms
Choose "Green" Materials
Consider renewable and sustainable lumber for framing, doors and flooring
Consider materials with recycled content (i.e. fly ash, slag, carpet, insulation, siding, roofing, flooring, counter tops, outdoor decking)
Use non-chemical, bio-based cleaning products
The Montana Green Building Program will provide technical expertise to help local builders use the guidelines and will collaborate with local Home Builder Associations throughout the state to encourage the construction of green built homes in Montana. For more information on the Montana Green Building Program, visit www.montanabia.com or call (406) 442-4479. For more information about the GBI, visit www.thegbi.org.