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Green Homes Win Global Innovation Award in Las Vegas for Their Energy-Efficient, Sustainable Homes

The CEO of Green Homes International has been awarded the2019 Silver Global Innovation Award at the International Builders Show in LasVegas. A franchise construction company with offices globally, Green Homesstands out because they are the only new home builder in the world who is compliantwith ISO 50001 Standards.

ISO50001 requires organizations to develop an energymanagement system, or policy, with the primary purpose of using energy moreefficiently. Green Home properties are designed, built, and audited to ensureevery component conforms to strict energy management guidelines. Consumersbenefit from energy-efficient homes and lower energy costs, with Green Homesproperties being affordable and comfortable with enhanced control of the homeenvironment. Their stunning homes are finished to extremely high standards.

Receiving the Award from the National Association of HomeBuilders (NAHB) means Green Homes has been given the global recognition theydeserve for building energy-efficient, sustainable, longer-lasting homes thatlessen the impact on the environment.

The NAHB’s Global Innovation Award honors the mostinnovative projects, products and services disrupting the global residentialindustry. Entrants are judged on innovation, functionality, good design,sustainability, whether their product or service is builder orconsumer-friendly, and if it is successfully marketed in a unique way. Thefinalists were announced by the NAHB on January 7, 2020, and the winners onJanuary 22, 2020.

Winners of the Award are chosen for their cutting-edgecontributions that push the housing industry to new limits, which is certainlywhat Green Homes are succeeding in doing.

With over 90 energy-efficient home designs to choose from,customers can also choose to design their own dream home to suit their budget,block, climate, and lifestyle. They receive advice and guidance from a local GHBuilders builder to ensure an outstanding result.

And, with demand for environmentally friendly homesincreasing across Australia, the industry-leading construction company isoffering builders an opportunity to benefit from the brand and join GH Buildersas a franchisee.

Bushfire Proof? Is it possible?
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Bushfire Proof. Is it Possible to Build Such a Home?

Australia has just re-surfaced from one of the most destructive and heart-wrenching bushfire seasons, with nearly 3,000 homes burnt and killed a devastating 34 people. Thankfully, due to the recent rains that is now causing flooding across parts of the country, all fires have been reported as extinguised, however the time of recovery and rebuilding has begun – and a massive question surrounds that.

“How do we prepare for next time?”

This question has been asked of politicians, scientists, community leaders and unsurprisingly, builders. In a recent panel interview on The Project, Grand Designs host and ‘sustainability advocate’ Kevin McCloud was asked, “… is it possible to design a house that is bushfire proof?”

McCloud described that although building materials may need to evolve over the next 20 years to become completely bushfire proof, there are some basic principles that can be utilised to maximise resilience against a potential fire situation.

“I think, it isn’t just about the house is it? It’s about the landscape, it’s about the setting, it’s about the community, it’s about people working together, resilience and that type of thing” – Kevin McCloud on The Project

Utilising the land around the home is such a pivotal part of the Green Homes Building Process, and along with the option of a Home Energy Report (H.E.R), our Design team works with 3rd parties to ensure your home works in with your block of land.

But will it be bushfire proof? The BAL – 40 standards ensures that your home is equipped – to the best of it’s ability – to withstand the raging bushfires. This includes steps such as non-combustible sarking, BAL-40 approved windows and fire-resistant framing.

If you’d like to learn more about how BAL-40 works in the rebuild of your home, or new home construction, please Contact Us for a commitment free discussion.

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“Hey Google.” Power the Next Generation of Green, Smart Homes

There is a common misconception in this interconnected marketplace, that by turning your home into a ‘smart home’ is converting it into a green, sustainable home. This thought bubble is incorrect. However, when building your new Green Home, everyone who wants to ride the way of a connected life should talk to their builder about making it a ‘Smart Home.’

But how does one save energy using more electrical devices? A recent article from The Conversation suggested that in a trial of 46 homes, a majority indicated that they used these smart devices as a chance for a lifestyle change, rather than directly aiming to reduce electricity. The results? Positive! There is a well-known fact that nobody wants to get up and turn off lights/power points throughout the house when watching the Grand Final. Well smart devices, such as Google Home and TP Link Smart Plugs, allow you to do it from the comfort of your lounge.

It is inevitable that homes of the future will be completely integrated with the cloud – whether we like it or not, allowing us to know when we are low on milk or out of cereal. With the global growth and awareness of tech giant, Tesla, has generated a plethora of discussions online regarding the future of electricity and ‘the grid.’ With energy prices on the rise – only to increase in the near future – how does one make sure that their green smart home is equipped with the latest energy saving tools?

The evolution of Google’s assistant from simply giving you directions to telling you about your day, means that over time she will learn your habits, which rooms you spend the most time in, when you turn the kettle on each morning to give you a shot of coffee. But instead of leaving the kettle in standby mode on all night & day, what if you could set it to turn on between 7 – 8 am? With devices such as the aforementioned TP-Link smart plugs, you can do exactly that – however not just limited to the kettle, any power-point controlled device can be remotely shut-off (not put into standby, completely turned off). Not only does this give you complete control over your home from your mobile phone or smart assistant, these plugs allow you to measure the energy output from that specific plug – giving you real time access to see your expenditure.

Green Homes can be Smart Homes. You could build a standard house, and then purchase smart devices, install them and use them – they will assist you in seeing your energy output and automate your life, however you lack the key ingredient. Energy Efficiency at the core of the home to begin with, allowing for your lifestyle to be at the forefront, combine that with the power of smart homes and you will potentially see even further savings, as well as a much more automated lifestyle.