Practical Green Building Tips Columbia MD

Based on dozens of interviews with developers, engineers, and investors, here are Affordable Housing Finance's top 10 practical green building tips. They might not seem flashy, but these ideas will save new construction and rehabilitation projects energy, money, and time.

"Things like ground-source heat pumps and solar panels always get in the newspapers, but it's the ordinary things that really make a difference," said Steven Winter, an architect and the founder of Steven Winter Associates, a green consulting firm based in New York City.

1. Start Early
Green developers should bring as much of their team together as possible, from architects to contractors, at the beginning of the design process. Gathered around a table, they can work out how each green modification will change the rest of the project. For example, extra insulation can make it possible to install a smaller, less expensive heating and cooling system.

Developers that go green late in the development process often miss opportunities like these. They also have less time to negotiate and must often accept whatever price their contractors decide to charge for unfamiliar techniques and materials.

2. Pick Energy-Efficient Windows and Insulation
To cut the cost to heat or cool a property, start with energy-efficient windows with a federal Energy Star rating. These top-rated windows sell for as little as 50 cents per square foot more than standard models.

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