Nov. 05, 2006
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
The Southern Nevada Home Builders Association, in a partnership with Portland, Ore.-based Green Building Initiative, has developed 10 pages of voluntary requirements that will help home builders be more environmentally sensitive in production of local housing.

New-home buyers in Las Vegas will likely see certified “green homes” by late 2007, Southern Nevada Home Builders Association Executive Director Irene Porter said.

Local green building requirements are based on guidelines from the National Association of Home Builders, customized to meet special environmental conditions of Southern Nevada. The partnership spent more than a year researching and developing the program requirements.

“The practice of green building aims to use renewable resources and maximize the efficient use of construction materials,” Porter said. “Also, with energy costs continuing to rise, everyone wants to save money on monthly utility bills. When you factor in improved indoor air quality, you really begin to see the true value of a green home.”

Fundamental green-building principles include:

•Resource efficiency. Reduce material waste by creating a detailed framing plan. Use recycled content materials such as oriented strand board and renewable materials such as soy-based insulation, bamboo and other wood-based products.

•Energy efficiency. Home must be equivalent to or greater than 15 percent above the current locally adopted International Energy Conservation Code or local energy code, whichever is more stringent.

•Water efficiency. Front yard must have water-smart landscaping; no turf. Home must have high-efficiency indoor plumbing fixtures with maximum flow requirements for faucets. Air conditioning must be nonevaporative system with zero net consumptive water use.

•Indoor environmental quality. Prevent potential sources of pollutants by installing direct-vent, sealed combustion gas fireplace, sealed wood fireplace or sealed wood stove. Composite wood and agrifiber panel products must contain no added urea-formaldehyde resins or must be certified by a third party for low formaldehyde emissions. Manage pollutants generated in the home by providing mechanical exhaust fan to the outside kitchen range, bath and laundry.

The Southern Nevada Green Building Partnership will provide technical expertise, verify that program guidelines have been met through third-party inspections and issue certification that a home has been built according to the voluntary requirements.

HUBBLE SMITH/REVIEW-JOURNAL