Choosing a new home? Homes available through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) have been built or rehabilitated to be healthy, both for families and the environment. By using technologies and products that conserve energy & water, promote clean indoor air, and feature comfortable outdoor spaces, NSP Green and Healthy Homes are good for your family, community, and bottom line.To ensure that your new home will be comfortable, healthy, and have reliably low energy and water bills, consider the features listed on the How to Choose a Green and Healthy Home checklist on the rear of this page.

images courtesy of morgueFileWATER

LOCATION

ENERGYreliably low

monthlybills

reducedwater usage

HEALTH

cleaner air,added comfort

convenience,community,

+ activity

How to choose a Green and Healthy Home

ENERGY

HEALTH

LOCATION

WATER

Typical House NSP Green & Healthy Home

Use the columns below to make notesabout the NSP houses you are touring asyou select the best house to call home.

QUALITY

Appliances Refrigerators, washers, anddishwashers withoutENERGY STAR certification.

Non-programmablethermostat

Do the appliances have the blue ENERGYSTAR logo? Each marked appliancewill use at least 15% less energythan the standard.

Paints & Finishes Traditional paints andfinishes include VolatileOrganic Compounds (VOCs).

Were low- or no-VOC products used insidethe home? They are as durable astraditional products and do notcontain repiratory irritants.

Water Fixtures Standard toilets may use1.6 gallons per flush (gpf).Traditional bath faucets mayuse up to 2.2 gallons perminute (gpm).

Are the toilets, showerheads and bathroomfaucets WaterSense labeled? A bathroom with WaterSense labeled fixtures cansave 7,000 gallons of water annually.

Third-PartyCertification

Typically houses are built tobuilding codes. Building codes represent the minimumstandards permitted by law.

Is the home ENERGY STAR Certified? Is thehome certified as ‘green’ (national optionsinclude Green Communities, LEED, andNAHB)? An ENERGY STAR home will have a sticker with the blue ENERGYSTAR logo within the electrical panel.Third-party certifications ensurecompliance high standards.

Gutters Lack of adequategutters and downspouts.

Do gutters and downspouts direct wateraway from your home? Proper gutterplacement helps minimize problematic moisture damage.

Flooring Carpet Is there hard surface flooring? Is thecarpeting installed GreenSeal labelled?Hard surfaces are easy to clean and donot trap dirt, moisture, and pollutants.

Ventilation A bathroom exhaust fan thatvents outside, and a kitchenrange hood fan thatrecirculates air.

Do bathroom fans and kitchen range hoodfans exhaust outside? Bath fanscontrolled by a light switch are thepreferred choice.

Activity,Community,Convenience

“Location, location, location”means more than simplygood schools. Evaluate thefollowing characteristics tosee how each locationaffects your mobility, yoursense of community, andease of access to day-to-dayresources.

Is your neighborhood accessible to services(community facilities, retail shops, grocerystores)? Public transit? Public parks,playgrounds, and other amenities?Neighborhoods that are connected withsidewalks that extend to services,public transit, and open space canincrease activity rates and promotephysical fitness. Public transit optionshelp reduce transportation time & costs.

Does the home have a programmablethermostat? Programmable thermostatswill allow you to turn down the heat orturn up the temperature on your A/Cautomatically.

Existing homes may have0” - 4” of attic insulation.

Does the attic have ≥ R-30 insulation?Attic insulation and air sealing providethe greatest savings.

Attic Insulation

Thermostat