The U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED program focuses primarily on commercial building, although it has launched a LEED for Homes program to focus on residential building projects.

When it comes time to select an architect or a builder for your home, it’s important to question companies on their understanding and familiarity with these programs. As the popularity of going green has grown in the last few years, many companies are jumping on the green bandwagon and claiming they are green builders, sustainable companies or implementing environmentally friendly practices, when in reality, they may just be recycling office paper and little else.

Don’t be fooled by this practice of “greenwashing” and know what questions to ask your architect or builder to determine their level of skill and expertise in the areas of green design and building.

• Ask how many staff members have been trained in green design or building. Are any of them accredited through LEED or do they have other accreditations or training from reputable sources?
• Ask for examples of other green building projects they have done. Organizations like the U.S. Green Building Council maintain a list of buildings that have been certified through LEED, so do some homework online.
• Ask for references. Talk to other clients who have built sustainable homes to find out how satisfied they were with the process.
• Do your own research. There is a wealth of information for people interested in sustainable home design. Have an idea of the products and materials you want to use, such as bamboo flooring, energy-efficient HVAC units or low-VOC paint. Know what materials are available and their costs. Solar panels might sound like a great idea, but can you afford them at this point?

Learn more: Here’s a good article from EcoHome magazine on the green impact EarthCraft House has had on Atlanta.

One of the best ways to add value to a home is by making it more energy efficient. It not only improves the home’s resale value, but makes it more cost effective for the homeowners who spend less on utility costs.

But making a home energy efficient goes beyond installing Energy Star appliances, low-flow toilets and compact fluorescent light bulbs. It starts with design of the home and knowledge about the best techniques for maximizing efficiency.

This article from EcoHome magazine outlines the five most common errors builders make when it comes to constructing an energy-efficient house: wasted resources; poorly selected and installed insulation; improper drainage for water management; not building to allow for fresh air and intentional ventilation; and HVAC ducts installed in unconditioned spaces, particularly the attic.

As a full-service custom design firm, we work closely with builders and can help oversee the entire process to ensure the most energy-efficient methods are being used. Our staff is knowledgeable on green building techniques and designs each home with that in mind. We spend time talking with clients about how to design what we like to call a “high-performance home” and how we can make it work within their budget.

Our clients don’t have the time to fully research the many green building practices and techniques – that’s why they hire us. They don’t want to spend time focusing on why it makes more sense to put the HVAC ducts between the floors rather than in the attic, which is the hottest place in the house in the summer – and the coldest in the winter months.

The homeowners simply want a house that is cool in the summer, warm in the winter and doesn’t come with a high electric bill. They rely on us to figure out the best way to make that happen.

We’re seeing it with our clients who are scaling back on features such in-home theaters, surround sound and carefully hidden cables and cords.

Today, it’s more about creating a functional home and stretching the building budget. People are looking for ways to build homes that cost less. One way to do that is by creating shared spaces and multipurpose rooms.

Instead of having two separate guest rooms, an office and a media room, those spaces can be combined. Most people have guests only a half a dozen times a year, so it makes sense to put an extra bed or fold-out couch in your office. Or put a bed in the kids’ playroom and it makes a great space for your younger guests to spend the night.

In general, clients are looking to build a home that is smaller and more cost effective than the one they currently have. That means no wasted space and making the home as efficient as possible.

This is where we see many clients express an interest in making their homes green as a way to save money on water usage, energy and overall environmental impact. Clients really want us to research every possible way to make their houses green, but on their budget.

It’s important for us to talk with our clients to determine what is important in their lives and their priorities when it comes to building a new house. It may be that cost is the ultimate concern, so we plan for fewer windows or use two windows in a space instead of a pair of more costly French doors. Or, it may be that going green is a high priority, so we focus on how to build an efficient home on a budget.

Before approaching an architect, think about your priorities, your budget and your space needs. Our mission is to put all those together into a custom home you’ll want to live in for years to come.

Doghouse designed by Herlong & Associates

For the past three years Daniel Island Park Day has been a tradition in Charleston, SC raising money for local non-profit organizations throughout the area. With entertainment, events, food and live music, it is a wonderful event for the entire family. This year Herlong & Associates is participating in the Doghouse & Playhouse Raffle with Structures Building Company. Our design was created by Layne Nelson of Herlong & Associates and with the help of a wonderful team at Structures Building Company Snoopy’s Shack is coming to life. Come out to the event October 11, 2008, buy a raffle ticket and maybe you will walk away with a fantastic doghouse built for a king or a queen, maybe your husband?