The impact of rising oil prices on our budgets has drawn increased attention to methods for saving energy. One obvious target for energy savings is our homes.

Beyond the simple things we can do, like turning off lights and installing low-flow plumbing fixtures, is the idea of "green" building.

Why build green? Buildings in general have a profound impact on the environment.

According to Wikipedia, the online collaborative encyclopedia, 39.4 percent of all energy consumed in the United States in 2002 was consumed by buildings, with 54.5 percent of this amount by residential buildings. Almost 68 percent of all electricity consumed in the United States was consumed by buildings, with 51.2 percent used by residential buildings. Buildings also account for 12.2 percent of all the water consumed per day.

In light of these statistics, it is clear that constructing "green" buildings is essential for saving both our budgets and our environment.

• What is green building?

Green, or sustainable, building is the practice of reducing the environmental impact and increasing the efficiency of buildings. To achieve these ends, green building addresses every aspect of the construction process from selection of a site to disposal of construction waste. The green building process also incorporates energy-efficient equipment and fixtures for energy savings during use of the building.

• Who sets green building standards?

The leader in setting standards for green building in the United States is the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a nonprofit organization with more than 14,000 member organizations from every sector of the construction industry. The USBGC works closely with both the construction industry and government agencies.

• What are the standards?

In 2000, the council established a set of benchmarks for a system to rate building projects for their use of "green" building practices. The rating system is called Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). The LEED rating provides a point system that is used to determine a project's level of green building. LEED rating systems are available for almost any type of construction including new construction, existing structures, commercial buildings, residential buildings, schools and retail. On-site inspections are required for certification of a building project.

• Where can I find out more?

To find out more about green building in the Atlanta area, visit the Web site for the Southface Energy Institute at www.southface.org .

Do you have a home repair question? Send e-mail to Ask the Inspector at H&G@ajc.com. Our expert, Bill Garwood, spent 15 years as a building contractor before becoming a home inspector in 1990. He is part owner of a residential inspection firm and a company providing training in building inspection and codes.