Green Building...Habitat Cabarrus Style!

Green Building Defined

The term "green building" is used by many and in diverse ways. At Habitat Cabarrus, we define it as providing housing for people using the most environmentally and health-friendly methods, products and processes available to us.

Why Green Building?

A Matter of Faith and Stewardship

Habitat Cabarrus is a Christian housing ministry. Psalm 24 tells us that "The Earth is the Lord's…" We feel that it is our duty as Christians to be good stewards of all resources and to care for God's manifestations in the visible world, God's creation. Green building allows us to practice good stewardship and to minister to others accordingly.

As always, when making choices between two different products serving the same function, we consider the one that lasts longer, is healthier and is manufactured with less negative impact to the environment.

Advanced Energy – The SystemVision Approach

Habitat Cabarrus partners with Advanced Energy to implement the SystemVision program. SystemVision is the philosophy that a house must be viewed as a system in which all components — the building shell, mechanical systems and people — work together as an interdependent whole.

Using this performance-based program in the construction of a new home is simple and inexpensive and guarantees both comfort and reduced heating and cooling costs for our homeowners. Houses built with SystemVision use half as much energy for heating and cooling and are more comfortable and healthier for the families who live in them.

With partners in the building and utility industries, as well as federal, state and local governments, Advanced Energy has demonstrated the success of using the SystemVision program. More than 5,000 homes across the country have been affected and realized the benefits.

The goal of Habitat Cabarrus is to build homes that meet or exceed the requirements of Advanced Energy and homeowners, in terms of construction materials and techniques. We will also involve subcontractors who adhere to the policies of Advanced Energy and Habitat.

In general, the construction of a Habitat home will:

• Use appropriate construction materials, such as raised-heel trusses, low E windows and house wrap.
• Ensure all framing joints are sealed, to include between the flooring system and the sill plate, and all intersecting exterior walls.
• Seal all exterior wall penetrations.
• Seal all doors and windows, both exterior and interior.
• Ensure proper installation and use appropriate levels of insulation in the walls, attic and crawl spaces.
• Seal all penetrations of the wallboard on outside walls and into the attic space.
• Oversee the installation of the required and appropriate HVAC equipment and ducts to provide adequate energy efficiencies and flow rates. This will include exhaust systems.
• Pass all Advanced Energy and local code inspections.
• Maintain current information and system requirements as published by Advanced Energy and train all construction members in all techniques, requirements and materials.

Building Advanced Energy-qualified homes is a win-win for our homeowners through reduced utility bills and the environment through reduced negative ecological impact.

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