Green Building Construction at Habitat EKC

At Habitat for Humanity of East King County we recognize a strong link between affordable housing and green building. Green building involves a comprehensive approach to building that considers an integrated design process, local site improvements, water conservation, energy efficiency, materials selection, indoor air quality and other health considerations, all while recognizing the impacts of building practices on the larger environment.

We build our homes with the following goals in mind:

Create a healthy and safe living environment for families
Lower the costs of operations and maintenance for the homeowner
Conserve energy and resources to reduce impacts on the environment over the building’s lifecycle
Construct durable, long lasting buildings that will stay in the affordable housing market for years to come
Continue adopting innovative techniques into the life cycles of our homes, from excavation through occupancy

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

Buildings have a huge impact on the environment and on human health. From site planning and design to resource and materials use, construction practices affect the environment, the economy, our communities, and one’s personal 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

Many of the materials and processes used in traditional building practices can have negative impacts on human health. According to the EPA’s Indoor Environments Division, Americans spend an average of 90% of their time indoors. Indoor air pollutant levels can be anywhere from 2-100 times higher than outdoor levels, and have been shown to cause a variety of health effects. Common materials such as carpet, paint, adhesives, sealants, insulation, and cleaning products can contain toxic components that pose human health risks. Green building practices encourage the use of alternative materials with less contaminants and provide guidelines for maintaining a healthy living environment over time.

Habitat EKC’s Green Building Practices:

All of our homes are equipped with Energy Star certified clothing washers, dishwashers, and refrigerator.
Our washing machines are front-loading, which reduces water and energy use 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. 80% of our light fixtures are Energy Star certified as well.
We use 1.6 gallon/flush low-flow toilets.
Carpet is installed using the dry method, avoiding the use of adhesives that contribute to indoor air pollution.
Much of the dimensional lumber and plywood we purchase is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified.
We use engineered floor joists and sheathing (OSB) which reduces the need for old growth lumber.
In addition to plastic, aluminum, and paper, we recycle cardboard, metal, and wood on the jobsite.
We implement a variety of measures to avoid moisture buildup in and around our homes with the goal of reducing maintenance needs and ensuring longer lasting buildings.

Certification Programs

In 2004, we partnered with Lumbermens to build a home to the 3* level of Built Green, a green building rating system run by the Master Builders Association. Efforts are currently underway to adopt a consistent green building certification initiative for future Habitat EKC homes.

As per Chapter 39.35D.080 RCW, the State of Washington requires affordable housing projects that receive funding from the state capital budget through the Housing Trust Fund after July 1, 2008 to meet the Evergreen Sustainable Development Criteria. Adoption and integration of this standard into all our new constructions is in the works.

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, July-August 2008 and help raise funds for green building with Habitat EKC. Money raised through this event will be used to certify a Habitat EKC home with the US Green Building Council’s LEED for Homes program.