EarthCraft House™ Program
EarthCraft House™ is the voluntary green building program of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association and partner Southface Energy Institute, which serves as a blueprint for healthy, comfortable homes that help reduce utility bills and protect the environment.
Since the program began in 1999, more than 4,000 single-family and more than 1,500 multifamily units in the Atlanta area have been EarthCraft House-certified, and developers working with EarthCraft House to promote responsible environmental policies on a larger scale have created six EarthCraft Communities, providing a long-term pollution impact in the Atlanta area.
To certify a home as an EarthCraft House™, a builder must:
- Be a member of their local homebuilders association
- Join the EarthCraft House™ program and complete a comprehensive training class
- Submit a detailed worksheet outlining the selected points approved for certification
- Score at least 150 points for sustainable building practices and products
- Pass two on-site inspections by an EarthCraft House™ inspector, including diagnostic testing
Rating System
The points are derived from 12 areas:
- Site Planning
- Energy Efficient Building Envelope and Systems
- Energy Efficient Lighting and Appliances
- Resource Efficient Design
- Resource Efficient Building Materials
- Waste Management
- Indoor Air Quality
- Water-Indoor
- Water-Outdoor
- Homeowner Education
- Builder Operations
- Bonus Points
Costs/Savings
EarthCraft homes are built at all income levels, from Habitat For Humanity to luxury estates. Depending on the energy efficiency and environmentally friendly features chosen, an EarthCraft House™ adds nominal costs to a traditional home. Initial building costs run from 1 to 3 percent higher, but savings made in mortgage payments, insurance, utility bills, maintenance and heath costs more than offset the difference.
Benefits
Benefits to the home buyer include:
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Measurable energy and financial savings
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Increased durability and resale value of the home.
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Protected health, safety and comfort of Homeowners
Benefits to the builder include:
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Increased revenue and trade contractor performance
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Fewer callbacks and decreased liability
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Recognition as an industry leader
Benefits to the environment include:
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Improved air and water quality
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Conservation of resources and energy
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Reduced waste and pollution
For more information, please contact:
EarthCraft House
241 Pine Street, Atlanta, GA 30308
Phone: 404-604-3636
Fax: 404-604-3681