Resource Efficiency (RE)

Forests provide habitats to diverse animal species, offer watershed protection, prevent soil erosion and help maintain the water cycle. EarthCraft House encourages the protection of forests through resource efficient design. By taking the time to design a home to use less wood and by practicing simple measures to ensure that wood on site is used properly, a new home can reduce its impact the environment as well as cost less money to build. EarthCraft projects can meet the requirements of the Resource Efficiency category through methods such as designing homes with 2’ dimensions, employing advanced framing techniques and providing clear framing plans and cut lists to contractors. These methods not only reduce the amount of lumber used on site, but also save money through reduced material costs, reduced tipping fees and increased customer satisfaction including improving the home’s energy efficiency. Building materials come from a variety of sources, not all of which are environmentally friendly. The EarthCraft program strives to reduce the impact homes have on the environment, including the impacts that result from the extraction and manufacture of materials used in home construction. By choosing certain building materials, an EarthCraft Builder can conserve natural resources, prevent unnecessary waste and reduce pollution associated with manufacturing and transporting of materials.