SAHBA Home Hints
July 27, 2008
SAHBA Helps Create County 's Green Standards
After over a year of planning, Pima County has released its Green Building Standards.
The Pima County Regional Residential Green Building Standards are the result of collaboration between the Joint Pima County-City of Tucson Green Building Subcommittee Taskforce and the SAHBA Green Build Council.
“This is a landmark change in the building industry,” said SAHBA President Ed Taczanowsky. “This action clearly demonstrates that builders are environmentally sensitive stewards of our community.”
These standards focus on resource efficiency and environmentally considerate building. Its directions will lead to energy-efficient homes and land development that maximizes use.
The design, construction and operation of a home, energy and water efficiency, lot development, resource-efficient building design and materials, indoor environmental quality, homeowner maintenance, and the home's overall impact on the environment are taken into account.
During development, it became evident that many local homebuilders incorporate Green Build practices into their existing construction standards. Many SAHBA builders “already achieve minimum certification from Pima County and our national Association,” said Taczanowsky.
Builders have long been conscience of Green Build tenants and made choices to incorporate them into their business. KB Home, Pulte and D.R. Horton were recognized as environmentally friendly builders.
The three SAHBA members landed at the very top of a study in “sustainable building design and construction” done by Calvert, a diversified investment management firm. More efficient use of lumber, eliminating construction waste and tight insulation are a few of the standards that secured KB Home's top position.
KB Home also is seeking approval to use 2' x 6' framing in its construction. This change will increase the R-value, the thermal resistance, making its homes even more energy efficient.
“ Green Building is here to stay,” said Taczanowsky. “Builders and homeowners have embraced new guidelines and ways of thinking.”
New standards ensure families receive the benefits of even lower energy bills, healthier indoor air and lighter global impact. Programs and standards through the National Association of Home Builders and Pima County give builders something to refer to and gage construction improvement, as well as note if their practices are Green.
Pima County 's Green Building plan is voluntary and incentive-based, said Yves Khawam, Pima County Development Services. The voluntary basis is important to promotion of acceptance during this period of market transformation.
SAHBA represents about 750 member businesses and 40,000 jobs serving the residential construction industry in Pima and Cochise counties.
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