Olympia, WA – The Olympia Master Builders Built Green® Program certified its first houseboat to Level 3 Built Green® last week. According to Built Green third party verifier Pam Worner of Green Dog Enterprises, this is the first houseboat in Washington State to be certified Built Green. “This is what Built Green is all about,” said the OMB Built Green Committee Chair Tina Allen, “providing homeowners with resource-efficient homes that are cost-effective to own and operate – even on the water!”
When houseboat builder and resident Mike Auderer of Olympia Construction began planning to downsize from a three-story Victorian house to the 550-square foot houseboat, he had efficiency and the environment in mind. From using nontoxic materials and recycling job site waste to using high efficiency windows and hot water heater, Auderer kept his green bases covered.
Auderer was ecstatic when Built Green third party verifier Worner told him his houseboat would qualify for certification. “I can’t wait to start my next project,” says Auderer. “Armed with what I have learned from going through the certification process, my next houseboat will score even higher.” Auderer plans to have the houseboat available for public tours during the OMB Tour of Homes in August and the BIG Home and Garden Show in September. (Visit www.omb.org for event details.)
The OMB Built Green Program’s rating system has 5 levels, all of which are verified by an independent third party. The program focuses on cutting energy bills, improving indoor health, reducing water usage and ensuring that homes are built to last.
