Coventry Log Homes, Inc. of Woodsville, NH recently became a member of Build Green NH. The Council is comprised of industry professionals dedicated to providing green building guidelines for building and remodeling professionals and environmentally responsible consumers through its certification program.

Their mission statement reads: Our mission is to promote, educate and support the practice of green building and remodeling in New Hampshire by creating a meaningful yet flexible standard for building and remodeling techniques and materials. We encourage builders and remodelers to incorporate minimal environmental impact during the land development process, use building materials that preserve human health and the environment, conserve energy and use sustainable or recycled products into the everyday process of home building.

The National Green Building Standard is a collaborative effort between the International Code Council (ICC) and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The standard permits builders to aim for the highest sustainability goals of energy savings of 65% or higher by defining four threshold levels consisting of Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Emerald. Homes that are “green certified” have met or exceeded the following standards:

• Design the Lot & Site –Design to enhance the natural quality of the site by considering such factors as the sun's location, water, drainage and erosion.
• Material, Resource Efficiency – Use materials that offer proven minimal maintenance and durability along with resourceful practices considering the impact on the environment.
• Recycle, Renewable, Reusable – Offer alternatives to landfill usage, pollutants and the use of our natural resources.
• Water Efficiency – Design to conserve water using low volume irrigation systems, rain water collection and Energy Star appliances.
• Energy Efficiency – Prevent heat loss to lower utility bills by tightening the buildings envelope and choosing Energy Star appliances and heating and cooling systems.
• Indoor Air Quality – Minimize moisture and pollutants from materials usage, add ventilation and Energy Star heating and cooling systems.
• Education for the Homeowner – Provide a written manual which encourages the proper use and maintenance of the homes green components.

Coventry Log Home owners’ have long known the benefits seen by choosing to build with logs. Mark Elliott, Vice President of CLH said, “Log homes are naturally adept to the green building guidelines and we are excited to be involved with other professionals who care about responsible building practices.”

Besides green being about the best and most responsible building practices there are other immediate incentives. Financial incentives include but are not limited to lower utility bills, property tax exemption, and State, National and utility loan and rebate incentive programs as well as adding to the resale value of the home.

Coventry Log Homes is also an Energy Star® Partner and has several projects in New Hampshire currently enrolled in that program.