Many of the national, regional and even the local custom homebuilders are taking advantage of the housing market downturn by developing strategies and product planning that reflect the latest trends in residential design and construction. Among these trends stands a movement that the new home consumer is embracing and demands – The Green Movement.
The push for environmentally friendly housing is no secret, however if you think it is simply a temporary fad, you are wrong. The movement started long before the current economic crisis. And with experts predicting a consumer paradigm shift in values such as a stronger emphasis on long-term satisfaction rather than instant gratification, a simplified life and personal wellness, the green movement is poised to be even stronger once we emerge from this crisis.
By definition from the NAHB - Green homes incorporate environmental considerations and resource efficiency into every step of the building and development process to minimize environmental impact. The design, construction and operation of a home must focus on energy and water efficiency, resource efficient building design and materials, indoor environmental quality and must take the home's overall impact on the environment into account.
- Energy-efficient features: appliances, heating and cooling systems, windows, water heating systems, light fixtures, light bulbs and even the utilization of alternative energies such as solar, wind or geo-thermal.
- Water-efficient features: conservation of water through low-flow showerheads, faucets, toilets and ENERGY STAR dishwashers and washing machines, low-volume irrigation systems and rainwater collection systems.
- Green materials: increased insulation, the use of recycled materials in carpet, cabinetry, tiles and concrete as well as rapidly renewable materials like bamboo.
- A healthier home: toxin-free building materials, ventilation and moisture control.
- House orientation: the construction of smaller homes, lot position should take advantage of natural daylight to reduce the need for artificial lighting and reduce heat gain in the winter and heat loss in the summer.
- Land use: preserve trees and natural environment, landscape only native vegetation, group plants according to water needs and permeable driveways and sidewalks.
Why a Green Home?
- It is the right thing to do driven by concern for the environment, global warming, escalating energy costs and the depletion of our natural resources.
- Residential cooling and heating alone make up 20% of the
- Existing buildings are responsible for more than 40% of the world's total primary energy consumption and for 24% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
- You better get on board now - Green homes are expected to make up 10% ($38 Billion) of new home construction by 2010, up from 2% in 2005 according to the 2006 McGraw-Hill Construction Residential Report and the NAHB.
- The net costs of owning a green home is less that a standard home. A green home uses 40% less energy which can provide a savings of $60 to $80 a month on power bills versus a standard home.
- A healthier home means fewer doctors visits.
- Local and state government incentives such as rebates and tax breaks.
- Lower insurance.
- Discounts on mortgage rates.
- Fewer home repairs due to the use of higher quality building material.
- Higher home value as the market demand for green homes continue to rise.
- A typical green home runs about 3% to 4% higher than a standard home (and in today’s market that additional cost will not be recouped).
- The cost saving and benefits are long-term which can be a tough selling point to buyers.
- The lack of
- The public’s lack of knowledge and low priority regarding building green.
- The disproportionate incentive split between builders and landlords versus the end user of a green home.
- Un-regulation (although the establishment of LEED and other third-party certifications have drastically improved this) and rampant industry “Green Washing” which is exaggerated green claims by builders and developers.
- www.nahbgreen.org – The NAHB National Green Building Program.
- www.usgbc.org - The U.S. Green Building Council is a non-profit community of leaders working to make green buildings available to everyone within a generation.
- www.builditgreen.org - Build It Green is a non-profit membership organization whose mission is to promote healthy, energy- and resource-efficient building practices.
- www.buildinggreen.com - An independent publishing company committed to bringing members accurate, unbiased, and timely green design
- www.energystar.gov – ENERGY STAR program helping save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices.
- www.healthhouse.org – The American Lung Association’s Build a Better House.
- www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/building_america – U.S. Department of Energy Building Technologies Program.
- www.epa.gov/epahome/state.htm - State environmental agencies.
- www.dsireusa.org - A comprehensive source of
