ARCHI-TECH TIPS EDITION 3 / FALL 2009

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

Building Water Efficiency Into Your Integrated Home Systems

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

As many of you are currently or are on your way to becoming LEED certified, you’ll understand Horizon Builders’ passion for using sustainable residential building technologies. Based on our research and investigation of “best” sustainable products and techniques out there, we offer our take on optimal choices to consider as part your clients’ residential design plans. As we continue our discussion about green building, and whole-house integrated systems, the smart guys at Horizon would like to focus your attention on some of the specific materials, systems and building techniques you can recommend to your clients to ensure their newly constructed or renovated home is a model of efficiency and sustainability.

In the following tips, we focus on effective ways to build water efficiency into your clients’ integrated home systems plans. You’ll learn about best practices on water saving solutions — ranked in priority from top to bottom — and how to weigh green benefits over costs to the homeowner. If you have any questions, we invite you to contact the building science gurus at Horizon Builders.

Tip #1: Super water-efficient home products

Tip #2: A Cistern — putting an old technology to a modern use

Tip #3: Grey Water Recycling — is it really worth the cost?