What is Green Building?
As the environmental impact of buildings becomes more apparent, a new field called green building is gaining momentum. Green or sustainable building is the practice of creating healthier and more resource-efficient models of construction, renovation, operation, maintenance, and demolition. Research and experience increasingly demonstrate that when buildings are designed and operated with their lifecycle impacts in mind, they can provide great environmental, economic, and social benefits. Elements of green building include:

• Energy-Efficiency – from ENERGY STAR®
• Home Air Quality – from EPA's Indoor Environments Division
• Home Water-Saving – from EPA's Water Program
• Home Waste Reduction – from EPA's Municipal and Industrial Solid Waste Division
• Other Greenbuilding Links

Why Build Green?
The home building environment has a vast impact on the environment, human health, and the economy. By adopting green building strategies, we can maximize both economic and environmental performance. Green construction methods can be integrated into buildings at any stage, from design and construction, to renovation and deconstruction. However, the most significant benefits can be obtained if the design and construction team takes an integrated approach from the earliest stages of a building project. Potential benefits of green building can include:

Environmental benefits
• Enhance and protect biodiversity and ecosystems
• Improve air and water quality
• Reduce waste streams
• Conserve and restore natural resources

Economic benefits
• Reduce operating costs
• Create, expand, and shape markets for green product and services
• Improve occupant productivity
• Optimize life-cycle economic performance

Social benefits
• Enhance occupant comfort and health
• Heighten aesthetic qualities
• Minimize strain on local infrastructure
• Improve overall quality of life

What is HomeSource’s position on Green Building?
HomeSource, an Asheville green builder, is a member of the Green Building Council of WNC and is an approved EPA Energy Star builder. We believe that as many green building techniques and products should be incorporated in a new home design as practical. Our “Green Building” philosophy is to be educated about the green building materials and techniques available in the marketplace today. Our goal is to be able to communicate effectively with our clients the positives, negatives and cost of a particular green building application or product. Being that thousands of products and techniques considered to be “Green Building” are available in the marketplace today, this is an ongoing challenge for our team to stay educated in this field.