Greater Houston Builders Association

The GHBA Green Building Initiative is a voluntary green building program available to all GHBA members. The program serves the Greater Houston region to promote healthy, energy and water efficient homes that reduce utility costs and use recycled, renewable and/or reclaimed materials that protect the environment.

• Who is GHBA?

• What is the GHBA Green Building Initiative?

• Who is Building Green Homes?

• What are the Components of the GHBA Green Building Initiative?

Who is GHBA?

Chartered in 1941, the Greater Houston Builders Association is a trade association representing all aspects of the residential building industry in the greater Houston area.  With over 2000 member companies, the association interacts with the government and community to enhance the business climate for its members to provide quality obtainable homes to the community it serves.  The association is also active in community outreach and charitable activities.

What is the GHBA Green Building Initiative?

GHBA program is relatively new, with 2007 being just its second year in full swing.  It is expected that as many as 20,000 homes will be built in the program this year.

Green building is a catch-all phrase used to describe environmentally friendly construction. It includes many different aspects of the home, from planting shade trees to save energy to installing water efficient plumbing. But, while green building is driven by a desire to reduce the environmental impact of your home, it's also good for you.

Green homes consider your pocketbook. They cost less to heat, cool and maintain, and—if you ever decide to sell—they are usually worth more.

Green homes consider your health. Because they are built to minimize chemicals, mold and other harmful substances, they protect you and your family from exposure.

Green homes are quality homes. They are built for durability, so they require less maintenance.

Who is Building Green Homes?

What are the Components of the GHBA Green Building Initiative?

• Site Development – Builders take into account practices which will help reduce the environmental impacts and improve the energy performance of a new home.

• Materials – A home's components from the foundation to the roof are literally the building blocks that make the home. These components can either degrade the energy efficiency of the home or enhance its performance and increase homeowner comfort.

• Energy – Energy consumption has far-reaching environmental impacts.  Therefore, energy efficiency is weighted heavily in a “green home”.

• Health – A healthy home is an objective of many people who are looking for a green home. Building materials are chosen based on the absence or low levels of chemicals and other additives common in non-green building materials.

• Water – Water efficiency is an integral part of every home design to reduce significant energy input for heating, pumping and improving the conservation, preservation and protection of water resources.

• Operation, Maintenance, Homeowner Education – Improper or inadequate maintenance can defeat the builder’s best efforts to create a “green home”.  By providing homeowners with the proper education about operation and maintenance a builder can help assure that the “green home” will be operated in an environmentally responsible manner.

For more information, contact Nicole Eiben: 281-970-8970, extension 142, or neiben@ghba.org