Green is the New Black

Building and buying eco-friendly properties is a growing trend and real estate experts are saying that in their field, green is the new black. Green homes are friendly to the environment, your health, and your wallet. Plus, the evidence is there that going eco-friendly can really make a difference. For example, green homes use 40% less energy than comparable standard homes. Additionally, residential cooling and heating alone make up 20% of the United States’ yearly energy use (greenhomeguide.org).

Residential green building is expected to increase by 100% over the next five years! Furthermore, 62% of all state governments have adopted green building policies (with 18 states coming on board in the last three years alone). This isn’t a “trend” that will disappear but ultimately become the norm rather than the exception.

In fact, 70% of homebuyers said they were more inclined to buy a green home in a down economy than a non-green home.

But with the tendency to slap the word green on anything we do these days, many are asking “what qualifies as a green home?” Here a just a FEW attributes for your review.

Attributes of Green Homes

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) - Replace your incandescent light bulbs (the cheap ones you probably got at the grocery store) with Energy Star qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). By replacing even your five most frequently used light bulbs, you’ll save $100 per year.

Radiant floor heating systems - These pump heated water through tubing beneath the floor surface more efficiently than traditional forced hot air or water units.

On-demand water heating units - Heats water on an as-needed basis, instead of keeping 40 gallons or more hot at all times.

Energy Star rated appliances - The more of these, the better!

A Home Energy Rating System (HERS) audit - A HERS report will reveal a house’s energy efficiency. Tip: This can also be used as a negotiating tool when purchasing a property if the audit reveals less than satisfactory results. Updated building codes are continuing to make this requirement more and more stringent.

Plant a tree – Shade trees can significantly lower your cooling costs by up to 25%. They also make your home more comfortable, and provide habitat for song birds.

Passive solar qualities - South-facing windows allow the sun to help heat a room in the winter and provide natural sunlight.

Go Low Flow – Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators to save resources without sacrificing water pressure. An efficient showerhead will save a family of four up to $285 per year. They can cost less than $15, and installing them couldn’t be easier: they just screw on.

Use of green materials - Products that contain zero volatile organic compounds (VOCs) don’t emit gases like traditional building materials. Recycled materials or materials salvaged from homes slated for demolition are good eco-friendly options as well.

Building or buying green presents many benefits in the areas of saving money and increasing property values. In the future, more buyers will demand these eco-friendly attributes for their investment, so keeping up with these improvements is imperative to maintaining your property value. There are many questions out there, so working with a “green-savvy” or Green Certified realtor or broker is the best step when trying to find the perfect investment. If you are thinking about building a new home, investigate your contractor to make sure he/she knows what they are talking about regarding green building.