Austin Energy Green Building’s™ Green Home Checklist
Austin Energy Green Building’s™ Green Home Checklist
Make Your Home a Greener Place to Live
A green home is an earth and people-friendly home, protecting the health of your family and the environment. It’s a more comfortable, durable, higher quality home. It’s easier and more economical to live in because it’s low-maintenance and energy and water efficient.
Our Green Home Checklist will help you make a more informed choice about your home. Review your home (since there’s always room for improvement) or a home you are interested in with this checklist in hand.
The Right Site
A site with smart landscaping is important to help make your home comfortable, affordable and attractive.
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Water-efficient Bermuda or buffalo grass is planted in sunny areas.
The Right Design
Comfort and economy are possible when a house is designed for its site and climate.
Minimal Solar Heat Gain:
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Longest walls face north and south. |
Maximum Ventilation:
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Most windows are operable and positioned for cross breezes. |
The Right Exterior
Cool Shell and Attic:
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Light colored paint, siding, and roofing are used. |
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Attic has a radiant barrier below the roof decking or between the rafters (looks like aluminum foil). Radiant barrier is especially effective when ductwork is in the attic. |
Maintenance:
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Exterior wall material is low maintenance (brick, stone, stucco, cement board). |
Maximum Insulation:
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Insulation is at least 10 inches deep and evenly distributed. (Attic insulation if far more important in the Central Texas climate than wall insulation.) |
Optimal Windows:
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Unshaded windows have solar screens or low-e glass (except on the north side). |
The Right Interior
Using the right materials can improve indoor air quality and increase comfort. Choosing energy efficient appliances will save you money.
Healthy Materials:
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Flooring is mostly hard surface, such as concrete, tile or wood. |
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Cook top has exhaust fan vented to outside. |
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Laundry/utility room has exhaust fan vented to outside. |
Efficient Appliances and Lights:
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Water heating has a 10-year warranty. |
Efficient Heating and Cooling
Effective Cooling Equipment:
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Ceiling fans in all major rooms. |
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Home has an A/C with a cooling efficiency is 12.0 SEER or higher. |
Well-sealed Ducts:
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Ducts have been pressure-tested for leaks by a qualified technician. Remember, most houses lose about 25% of conditioned air due to leaky ducts. Leaks cause air quality and safety problems, too. |
Air Filters:
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The filter is accessible and easy to change. |
The Right Economy
Using local businesses and products keeps the local economy healthy, while reducing the affects of transportation on Austin’s air quality.
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Regional materials such as mesquite, native cedar, pecan wood, local brick, limestone, and granite are used. |
The Right Lifestyle
The right location of your home improves your quality of life.
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The home is conveniently located for activities such as work, school, entertainment, recreation, and public transportation. |
