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Why Should I Choose a Green Home? Because it saves water!
If you’re considering purchasing a new home, there’s more to think about than just the color of the tile and the kind of kitchen countertop. Your new home becomes part of your legacy, and impacts the community around you. The quality of the home, the use of resources, and the impact on the environment (both indoors and outdoors) should all factor in to your decision. A certified green home offers: 
- Lower energy bills
- Less carbon footprint
- Healthier indoor air
- Reduced warranty claims
- Improved durability and less maintenance
- Better resale
A Certified Green Home is "graded" across 7 categories, to ensure standards are met and environmental impact is limited. Read more about Lot Preparation, Resource Efficiency, and Energy Efficiency.
Green Building Certification Section 4 - Water Efficiency
Water is one of our most precious resources – and most of our homes are not built to use as little of this irreplaceable commodity as possible. That’s why water efficiency is one of the core values of a certified Green Home. Different certification levels will include different water saving features. 
Most green home certification programs have three levels: Bronze, Silver, and Gold.
A Green Home might include green features to support water efficiency and quality, such as:
- On demand water heaters
- Specially planned water heaters with minimum pipe length to point of service
- ENERGY STAR dishwashers and washing machines
- Water efficient showerheads with flow rated less than 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm)
- Ultra low flow toilets
- Low volume, non-spray irrigation systems
- Weather-based irrigation controls
- Rainwater collection
- Greywater systems
For Bronze Level green home certification, you may see water-saving features like these:
ENERGY STAR Appliances
You should see a water-conserving dishwasher in the kitchen. These models use approximately 40% less water than a conventional dishwasher. An ENERGY STAR dishwasher can be chosen by the homeowner or builder, and comes in a variety of styles and colors.
Water-Efficient Showerheads
Use less water in every shower by installing a low flow showerhead. There are quite a variety of models available, ranging from entry-level to luxury, that offer a flow of 2.5 gallons per minute or less, without sacrificing the quality of your shower.
Water-Efficient Sinks
An aerator installed at a sink faucet can reduce water waste during common activities. These aerators must restrict the flow to less than 2.2 gallons per minute. They can be installed into almost any faucet.
Of course you can add other features as your desires and budget see fit! The higher the green certification level, the more water saving features you’ll find, including above or underground rainwater collection systems, rain gardens, and much more.
How does Green Home Certification work?
In order for a new home to be "certified green" through the National Association of Home Builder’s Green Building Program, a total of 237 points must be earned across 7 categories. Bronze level certification requires at least 9 points in the Water Efficiency category. Silver and Gold certification requires additional points. There are at least 100 different ways that points can be earned in the water efficiency category, using a variety of different features.
Green Home Building and Buying Options Vary
As you can see, the types of green homes available vary quite a bit, and the combinations of green features can be almost endless. If you’re purchasing a green-built home, ask to see the certification, and find out exactly what water saving features are included.
With hundreds of "green" options available across seven different categories, you can design and build a green home that incorporates everything most important to you. Work with a local builder who is experienced in green building, in conjunction with a recognized green home certifier.
Find out more about Stanton Homes here. |