Before construction began, the GreenHome design team outlined five target goals to guide each stage of planning and construction. We expect to meet, and in some cases, exceed our target goals.
Pound of carbon dioxide (CO2) | 44,000 |
| pound of sulfur dioxide (SO2) | 140 |
| pound of nitrogen oxides (NOx) | 55 |
Early approximations of the water efficiency in the GreenHome range from a 50% to 75% reduction in water use. This goal is accomplished primarily through the capture and reuse of rainwater for toilets, laundry and irrigation; low-flow fixtures; and high-efficiency irrigation methods. Compared to the average water use of 80 to 100 gallons per person per day, the family living in this home will save more than 1 million gallons of potable water over the next 15 years – an amount equivalent to 50 residential-sized swimming pools.
Though construction is still underway, we are confident that we can reach this goal. If the leftover materials match the local market for recyclable products, we will have diverted more than 10,000 pounds of waste from entering a landfill.
The stormwater management system in the GreenHome will capture 95% of the stormwater on site. Stormwater is considered one of the most significant causes of water pollution in the United States. Impacts include flooding, degraded stream ecosystems, impaired watershed quality, and erosion. Most new homes do not have on-site stormwater retention plans, instead allowing rainwater to runoff the roof, yard, and driveway, carrying automobile and yard pollutants into local waterways and water treatment systems.
By recycling and reusing yard waste, leaving grass clippings on the yard to maintain soil nutrients, and composting kitchen waste the family living in the GreenHome will reduce the waste it sends to the landfill by more than 10 tons over the next 15 years. This waste will be reduced in volume by 70% to 80% as it is broken down by natural processes into fertilizers for the yard, garden and potted plants.
