Over 400 of Habitat for Humanitys 1500 affiliates have signed up for the Green Team, a new program that provides education on energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and sustainable building design.
How a house is built is largely up to the particular affiliate. Were trying to provide information that is volunteer-friendly, affordable, and that enables them to conserve energy without hatcheting up costs, explains Graham Davis, Green Team director.
The plan is to build all Habitat homes to EPA Energy Star standards. At a recent five-day blitz-build in Houston, all 100 homes were built to the standards. After affiliates are up-to-speed on energy efficiency the Green Team will expand to alternative building materials such as strawbale. They also promote job site recycling; at a recent blitz build they recycled or reused sheet rock, scrap lumber, aluminum and vinyl.
Source: Environmental Design & Construction