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.

The Sullivan’s Island house belongs to owner Steve Herlong and his wife, Susan, and is part of a feature on living green on the beach. Taking inspiration from a local lighthouse that had been destroyed by a hurricane in the 1800s, Steve and Susan designed a 4,200-square-foot house with a lighthouse tower facing the water, spectacular views and a comfortable feel – all created in an eco-friendly manner.

You can check out the article on the Coastal Living Web site and see the amazing photos of this home.

With a dream of being an architect since the sixth grade, Steve is inspired by Charleston’s history, open spaces and water views. His home is a combination of that history – with its tribute to a 19th-century lighthouse – and the amazing ocean vista that flows into the house through its large windows and open porches.

Even though the house has several green features, many are tucked away and are an example of how architectural design can incorporate green and gorgeous.

As pointed out in the magazine article, the living room has a cypress, V-groove, barrel-vaulted ceiling, but what’s behind the ceiling is a closed-cell spray foam insulation that seals the home and helps regulate the temperature. Low VOC paint was used in the house along with reclaimed wood countertops in the kitchen and light-colored steel that extends about 2 feet beyond the walls of the house to create shade for the windows below.

“To me, green architecture means designing an efficient and enduring house,” Steve says in the article. “It just takes a different way of thinking.”

Whether it’s cleaning products, office supplies or food containers, just about everything comes in a green option. But when we’re designing and building houses, just how green can you be?

When we talk with clients about designing an environmentally friendly home, we focus on creating a high-performance structure, particularly on the Charleston coast where houses need to be designed to withstand hurricane-force winds and the potential window-rattling earthquake.

And with the air conditioning cranked up in July and August, you want a home that is energy efficient, ultimately costing less to cool in the summer and heat in the winter.

Making decisions to build a green home start long before selecting bamboo floors or dual-flush toilets. It means starting at the drawing board. Even a large home can be built efficiently if you take the time and effort to focus on the planning process.

Consider how the sun hits the home and design extended overhangs to create more shade. Spend more time on the placement of the mechanical systems, ensuring the unit is running at maximum efficiency.

Is the building envelope durable from the frame to the siding? Starting the green process at the beginning gives the house a cohesiveness that allows all systems – from the HVAC to the plumbing – to function together.

We work closely with clients, discussing the design and the budget and how to achieve a green home. It’s often those little things that turn a vision on a blueprint into a high-performance house.

And being green doesn’t always mean you have to make expensive choices. Yes, solar panels to heat your water are pricey, but you can make an equally important impact by putting 15-cent water flow restrictors on your shower heads. If you don’t have an endless budget, start with less expensive items and work your way up.

By putting some thought into green building before the hammer hits the first nail, you can achieve a high-performance house.