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ARCH-TECH TIP EDITION 2 / SUMMER 2009

Horizon Archi-Tech Tips
a technical building resource for residential architects

When it comes to home building, there are many shades of green.

The initiatives, technologies and policies supporting green [sustainable] products, services and practices are flooding global headlines.

95% of the national press and TV coverage on being green focuses on installing and utilizing green materials such as green roofs, low VOC emission materials, green carpet, cork flooring and other 'green' products. But combined, this only makes up about 5% of the comprehensive definition of what it means to build "green". Although building for energy efficiency may not be as newsworthy as installing a green roof, for example, it is the true measure of the green equation.

In order to cut through the clutter of what is fact over green hype, Horizon Builders sought out expertise from several national building science experts to summarize the green story. Here's what we found.

Tip #1: What are the highest priorities for a green home?

Tip #2: The Building Envelope Part II: Air and Moisture Barriers 2.0

Tip #3: Horizon's HVAC Design Criteria vs. Other Builders