 Delco Builders & Developers Inc. has earned the “Petaluma Build It Green” certification for its new homes at its SOUTHGATE master-planned community in Petaluma. By undergoing a lengthy review process and adapting certain design and construction techniques in the building of these homes, SOUTHGATE by Delco Builders is now green-certified by the city.
What is Green Building?
In a nutshell, green building is the use of design and construction practices that produce buildings that are generally higher quality, healthier for people and the environment, less costly to maintain, consume fewer natural resources and generate less waste than conventional buildings.
More specifically, green building practices may include:
- Increase a building’s durability and ease of maintenance
- Reduce energy and water consumption
- Improve efficient use and recycling of materials, which means that much less solid waste is generated during construction
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants associated with building materials and energy required for heating and cooling
- Improve indoor air quality and health for building occupants
- Better integrate buildings and developments with existing and planned local and regional infrastructures, such as transportation, schools, parks, natural features, and so forth
There are many different ways to design and construct green buildings.
Here’s how we do it at SOUTHGATE in Petaluma:
Energy Efficiency: Southgate homes are designed and built using high energy efficiency standards and materials. These include using high-efficiency double-paned windows with low-e coatings, installing Energy Star® rated appliances, employing high-tech roof sheathing to keep attic spaces cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter and sealing our home exteriors and HVAC duct joints with caulk, foam and weather-stripping to reduce drafts and improve heating and cooling efficiency. In fact, the Southgate homes are so energy efficient, they have also earned the coveted “Energy Star®” rating from PG&E.
Water Efficiency: Southgate homes are designed and constructed using strict water conservation standards. These include planting native-species plants and shrubs that use minimal water, eliminating high-water use lawns in front yard areas and installing irrigation systems that emit low water flows and incorporate controllers that automatically adjust watering cycles based on current weather conditions.
Using “Sustainable” Building Materials: Delco is committed to using building products that are made from recycled materials as well as sustainable and renewable resources. Some examples of this include: roadway base made from recycled materials, engineered lumber and plywood made from recycled wood and new growth trees and siding manufactured from renewable and non-scarce resources.
Using “Healthier” Building Materials: Delco is using building materials and installing additional standard features that improve the indoor air quality for residents. Some of the ways we do this include: installing low emitting insulation materials and high quality furnace filters, tightly sealing our homes to reduce drafts and keep out pollutants, pollen and pests, installing carbon monoxide alarms and using interior paints that feature low VOC emissions.
Reducing Construction Site Waste: Delco is committed to reducing the amount of waste that ends up in our landfills by sending cardboard and paper packaging materials, scrap lumber, concrete and roofing waste into local recycling programs.
Building Green in Petaluma
On January 23, 2006, the Petaluma City Council approved the creation of a new, voluntary green building program. The Petaluma Green Building Program, called “Petaluma Build It Green” reflects the City’s commitments to responsible development and environmental stewardship.
To build the green building program Petaluma created the “Green Team,” consisting of staff from various City departments, including Planning, Building, Water Resources and Conservation, and Public Works. The Green Team has been responsible for planning all aspects of the program’s development, launch, and operations.
What is Petaluma Build It Green
Petaluma Build It Green is a voluntary, points-based program designed to stimulate and support green building in Petaluma. The program is designed around the Green Building Guidelines developed by Alameda County Waste Management Authority and Build It Green for New Homes, Remodels and Multi-family Construction. Green building measures that are incorporated into a building project can earn “Green Points.” These Green Points are calculated and documented by an independent, third-party rater, who submits an application for Green Points Rating to the Petaluma Build It Green program on behalf of the developer.
Homes that achieve at least 50 Green Points (with a minimum number of Green Points earned in various categories) become GreenPoint Rated and earn a Petaluma Build It Green certificate. SOUTHGATE in Petaluma is proud to be recognized as one of the first “Petaluma Build it Green” new housing communities.
The information contained herein is deemed reliable but Delco Builders makes no warranty about its accuracy. Delco Builders reserves the right to change specifications, materials and design features are subject to change without notice.
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