Aug 9 2010
A home built by Bay-Waveland Habitat for Humanity was recently certified as a LEED for Homes Platinum level house. The certification is the highest level the U.S. Green Building Council awards for residential green building, and to date, is the only house in the State of Mississippi to have achieved this level of certification.
"We're thrilled that one of our homes has achieved this level," commented Wendy McDonald, executive director of Bay-Waveland Habitat. "It proves that you can build houses that are attractive, comfortable, energy-efficient, environmentally friendly AND affordable."
"USGBC is proud to see Habitat for Humanity affiliates like Bay-Waveland succeeding with the LEED for Homes certification program," said Nate Kredich, Vice President, Residential Market Development, U.S. Green Building Council. "LEED certified homes like this Habitat Bay-Waveland project serve as a shining example to the building community that green homes are affordable and attainable."
HFH Bay-Waveland Area's LEED Platinum House.
Another Bay-Waveland Habitat home built in 2009 received an Emerald level certification through the National Association of Home Builders' Research Center National Green Building Certification Program. Emerald is the NAHB Research Center's highest level of certification for green building. This house is also one-of-a-kind, holding the distinction of being the only house in the State of Mississippi to date to have achieved this level of certification through the Center.
"It's particularly exciting to see that affordable housing doesn't have to compromise the energy and environmental performance of a home," commented NAHB Research Center President Mike Luzier.
Together, these homes reflect Bay-Waveland Habitat's ongoing commitment to build to the highest standards possible, while maintaining affordability. In that context, HFHBW made a commitment in 2009 to build its homes to either the LEED or NAHB silver standards for green building. In many cases, its homes have exceeded this standard, achieving gold level certifications.
These high certifications are achieved through the use of materials like aluminum roofing, cement board siding, open cell spray-foam insulation, loE dual pane windows, Energy Star appliances, SEER 15 HVAC units and low VOC paints and adhesives, as well as methods like advanced framing, low impact site development, natural resource conservation and recycling of construction waste.
"It makes sense to build homes this way," commented Mark Scott, Bay-Waveland Habitat's construction director. "In addition to being more energy efficient, they are safer, stronger and more durable."
As part of Bay-Waveland Habitat's commitment to green building, the affiliate has sponsored two Gulf Coast green building conferences for builders, government officials and community leaders.
In Seal Pointe, the affiliate's new premiere 42-unit neighborhood, homes are being built to meet or exceed silver certification standards through USGBC or the NAHB Research Center.
Source: http://www.habitatbw.org/