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Green Built Home: Building a Healthier, Smarter Future for Wisconsin

At Green Built Home, our mission is clear: to help builders, developers, and homeowners create better homes—homes that serve people, protect the planet, and ensure a sustainable future. By offering comprehensive checklists and trusted third-party verification, the program certifies residential buildings that meet high standards for environmental performance. Since its inception, over 30,000 homes and multifamily units have been Green Built Home certified, earning it recognition as the National Green Building Program of the Year in 2006.

Green Built Home embodies purpose-driven leadership, fostering a legacy of environmental responsibility across Wisconsin. With a deep commitment to collaboration, it works with organizations like WHEDA and Habitat for Humanity to bring sustainable housing to underserved communities.

Homeowner Benefits

A Holistic Approach to Green Living

Lower Energy Costs

Green Built Homes are designed with vision and practicality in mind, exceeding Wisconsin residential energy codes by at least 15% and complying with the Focus on Energy New Homes Program. By incorporating ENERGY STAR-certified appliances and other efficiency measures, homeowners enjoy substantial energy savings while reducing their carbon footprint.

Smarter Water Use

With water conservation critical for sustainability, Green Built Homes use site-appropriate native plants, low-mow turf grasses, and water-efficient appliances like low-flow fixtures and horizontal-axis washers. These features reduce water use and maintenance, lowering water bills and supporting environmental resilience.

Enhanced Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air quality is key to healthy living, and Green Built Homes address it from multiple angles:

  • Moisture Control: Properly sealed envelopes, ventilation, and humidity control prevent mold and maintain optimal indoor humidity levels (30-50%).
  • Ventilation: Fresh air systems replace stale air, preventing the accumulation of harmful gases like carbon monoxide and radon.
  • Low-VOC Materials: Building materials are carefully selected to minimize the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), reducing health risks like allergies and asthma.
  • Formaldehyde-Free Products: Many certified products eliminate harmful emissions from cabinetry, insulation, and trim, ensuring a healthier indoor environment.
  • Particle Reduction: Radiant heating, air cleaners, and central vacuum systems reduce airborne particles, further enhancing air quality.

Green It Yourself

Guiding Homeowners Toward Resource Efficiency

Green Built Home goes beyond certification. We equip homeowners with the tools to maximize their home’s efficiency and sustainability throughout its lifecycle. Resources like the Green Built Home Buyer’s Guide and Homeowner’s Handbook provide practical tips on energy conservation, maintaining indoor air quality, and reducing a home’s environmental impact.

The Bigger Picture: Collaboration and Advocacy

Green Built Home aligns with long-term legacy thinking, balancing immediate benefits with future generations’ needs. By working with policymakers, builders, and the community, it fosters systemic change and advances Wisconsin’s leadership in green building.

This adaptability and resilience are critical in a rapidly changing world. By supporting Green Built Home, you’re contributing to a movement that creates healthier homes, stronger communities, and a more sustainable future.

Join us in making a difference—together, we can build a better Wisconsin, one home at a time. Visit our website for more information or download our guides to get started today.

      

Donate

On the PayPal Donation page, please indicate Green Built Home as the program to which you would like to donate by selecting "Add special instructions to the seller."

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Wisconsin Environmental Initiative
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Wisconsin Environmental Initiative
821 E. Washington Ave.
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Madison, WI 53703

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