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Green Building Construction at Habitat EKC

It is our goal at Habitat for Humanity of East King County to ensure a safe and healthy living environment for our families.  Our homes are built with the following intentions:

  • Keep energy and water costs low and provide above average indoor air quality.
  • Recognition of the increasing need for social and environmental responsibility within affordable housing.
  • Become more sustainable and revitalize low-income neighborhoods.
  • Continue adopting more green construction materials and building techniques into the life cycles of our homes, from excavation through occupancy. 

We hope our efforts to recognize and minimize the impact of residential construction on the environment will inspire others to consider building green in their own projects.

Why Build Green?

The construction industry has a huge impact on the environment and on human health.  According to the City of Seattle web site, buildings are responsible for:

  • 40% of the world's total energy use
  • 30% of raw materials consumption
  • 25% of timber harvest
  • 35% of the worlds CO2 emissions
  • 16% of fresh water withdrawal
  • 40% of municipal solid waste destined for local landfills
  • 50% of ozone-depleting CFCs still in use

 

Comprehensive Approach

Green Building is a comprehensive approach to construction that aims for the least negative impact on the environment and human health. 

A Green home typically saves money on operating costs because of more efficient energy use.  Green techniques range from "advanced framing," which allows more room for insulation while reducing the amount of lumber used.  This in turn saves on costs, with less lumber used, and reduces the home-owner's energy bill significantly.  Other benefits include using low-VOC paints, which have a lower percentage of off-gassing volatile organic chemicals.  According to the EPA, some paints high in VOC "may have short or long term adverse health effects."

Green Building is appealing to many people for various benefits, including:

  • Energy efficiency and conservation
  • Water conservation
  • Improved indoor air quality
  • Resource and material efficiency
  • Occupant health
  • Large-scale improved environmental quality including air, water, land, limited resources and ecosystems

 

Habitat EKC: A Head-Start

Habitat EKC's Built Green efforts include:

  • All of our homes are equipped with Energy Star certified Whirlpool appliances and energy efficient windows.
  • Our washing machines are front-loading, which reduces water and energy by two-thirds.
  • We use compact fluorescent lighting, which uses one quarter to one third as much electricity as incandescent light and lasts ten times longer, in bedrooms, living rooms, and hallways.
  • Our exhaust fans are equipped with timers to save energy.
  • We use 1.6 gallon low-flow toilets and low-flow showerheads.
  • We use low-VOC and low-toxic interior paints and finishes to reduce toxins, thereby increasing indoor air quality in homes.
  • Carpeting is tacked rather than glued with adhesive that can emit gas over time.
  • In 2004, we partnered with Lumbermens to complete our first of many Green builds at Snoqualmie Ridge. The home was certified at a 3 star build green rating by Master Builders Association.

 With the help of local companies, we are able to recycle many of our materials for free or at a reduced cost. Such materials include:

  • Scrap Lumber (except pressure-treated)
  • Drywall
  • Concrete
  • Yard Waste (shrubbery, dirt, etc)
  • Pallets
  • Metal (copper, steel, metal strappings, nails)
  • Cardboard
  • Bottles and Aluminum Cans

Material donations and building grants are keys to keeping our homes affordable. If you wish to contribute to our mission to Build Green, we are in need of the following items:

  • Formaldehyde-free Insulation
  • No-VOC Paints
  • Interior/Exterior paint recycling services

 

Ride Green Build Green

Are you a cyclist? Are you passionate about supporting green affordable housing?  Join us for the RGBG Ride from Seattle to San Francisco and help to raise funds for a Habitat EKC green affordable home.

Resources

Please consult our Resource Recycling Guide to see where you can recycle your own materials in and around East King County.

Habitat EKC has partnered with Second Use Building Materials, Inc., a Puget Sound business which diverts reusable building materials from the landfills and resells them at affordable prices to the public.

When Second Use accepts re-usable materials in Habitat EKC's name, proceeds from the sale of these goods are sent to us to help build homes. You will receive a thank-you letter within a few weeks to use for your tax records. This win-win partnership benefits us and keeps items out of the already overloaded land fills.

In addition, when it's time to remodel an existing home or tear one down altogether, a Second Use project manager can come to your site and identify re-usable materials. Moreover, if your project is large enough they can remove the materials with Habitat volunteers saving you money in labor and disposal fees.  Visit the Second Use web site to see what kinds of materials are accepted.

For more information about about building green homes visit the BuiltGreen website.