SUSTAINABLE HOMES GUIDELINES

The residential construction industry uses vast quantities of natural resources.  Through practicing greater environmental sensibility, we can positively, and with lasting and meaningful impact, construct homes that use fewer resources to build, less energy to operate, and have a reduced impact on the environment. 

The purpose of the Sustainble Homes Guidelines (SHG) is to encourage residential homeowners and builders to use technologies, products and practices that go above the industry standards and will:

• Improve overall building and mechanical efficiencies;
• Utilize environmentally conscious products;
• Conserve natural resources;
• Enhance well being; and
• Reduce waste and pollution.

The Guidelines and Checklist provide a framework, built on 6 different categories, to use in planning, designing and building or renovating your home.  These categories are:

HEALTH & SAFETY

SUSTAINABLE SITES

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

MATERIALS

WATER MANAGEMENT

EDUCATION & TRAINING

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Sustainable Homes Guidelines and Checklist was compiled by: Timothy Heppner, Chicago, IL. Lindsey Elton, Chicago, IL. Emily Berlinghof, Northfield, IL. Ashlie Langan, Des Plaines, IL. Deinse Reyes, Chicago, IL. Carla Bruni, Chicago, IL. Emily Stuut, Chicago, IL. Madhoolica Dear, Westmont, IL.

The Sustainable Homes Guidleines Committee would like to gratefully acknowledge the following organizations and individuals for their contributions to this project. Built Green Colorado, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), US Green Building Council, George Sullivan, Lisa Elkins, Jacek Helenowski, Amy Mysz, Meghann Maves, Sarah Abu-Absi, Mark Willie, Lyndon Valicenti, Lyle Schachter, Olivia Cohn, Mike Jackson, John McEneany, Peter Cerbin, Cheryl Noel, Anayansi Ricketts, Jason Navota, Kevin Lynch, Jason LaFleur, Kelly Reiss, Corbett Lunsford.

DISCLAIMER

The Sustainable Homes Guidelines is an evolving program and users are encouraged to provide feedback on how to improve its content.  These guidelines represent the current thinking and approaches to green building, based on the experience and research of experts in the field. Due to the nature of this developing industry, it is not possible to be exhaustive and it is intended only to be a guide.

Nothing in these Guidelines should be construed as an endorsement, warranty (express or implied) or guarantee by any persons or organizations involved in the creation of these Guidelines, or anything contained herein.

The Guidelines' authors expressly disclaim any responsibility for any damage caused by the implementation of information contained in this document. 

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REFERENCES

For additional guidance on DO-IT-YOURSELF green home projects, try these great books.

GreenSense for the Home: Rating the real Payoff from 50 Green Home Projects

They are all available at