WHAT IS GREEN HOME BUILDING?
Sierra Green Building Association (SiGBA) is Here to Help
By Susan Diane

Learning about the new trend in green home building and what it means to build or remodel a home with consideration for environmentally sensitive practices is a step toward achieving a high quality lifestyle.
Whether your interests are piqued by saving money on the rising cost of energy, or you are concerned about living in a healthier house, or you envision taking more responsibility for planetary environments, finding out what greening your home is all about is worth the effort.
To encourage a local momentum toward sharing information throughout our community, the nonprofit Sierra Green Building Association was formed in the Spring of 2002. A passionate and enthusiastic group of engineers, architects, developers and builders volunteered to promote environmental design by providing education and support in the areas of design, energy conservation, building materials, air quality and water use.
What is sometimes simultaneously difficult and wonderful about defining green building is that it can have a different meaning for everyone. Whatever aspect of creating an ecologically sound home entices you, it all moves in the direction of sustainability.
Sustainability includes incorporating methods and systems within a building which will make the best use of resources such as light, warmth, water, fresh air, recyclable materials, reclaimed lumber and other supplies. It also involves building and furnishing your home with materials that are non-toxic to people and pets, and that do not damage our natural surroundings.
In an effort to heighten awareness in the community, SiGBA is sponsoring a semi-monthly speaker series covering a complete range of topics relating to sustainable design and development. SiGBA also coordinates the annual "Energy Smart Home Tour" where anyone can visit local homes that have implemented active and passive solar systems, rammed earth construction, geothermal heat pumps, green insulation, air infiltration and more. SiGBA was also co-sponsor of the recent Sustainable Building Forum hosted by the Tahoe Center for Wholeness in Squaw Valley.
SiGBA members will attend the Truckee Home and Building Show and look forward to meeting everyone who is interested in learning about how to utilize the organization¹s resources to discover the diverse field of green building.
The SiGBA website is www.sigba.org and is currently being developed. The site is a resource for information on the benefits of becoming a SiGBA member, features a library of favorite books on green building, provides links to resource suppliers and tradespeople who can help you discover the vast possibilities in how to improve your life by going green.