Considering Buying a Green Home? Think No Further
According to the preliminary results of a study released recently by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and McGraw-Hill Construction, environmentally friendly homes are no longer a luxury reserved only for the richest Americans.
Within the last three years more than 330,000 homes with green features have been built in the United States, of which, more than half of the home buyers earned less than $75,000 a year and 30% earned less than $50,000 per year, according to the study.
In addition, 78% of homeowners, earning less than $50,000 per year, say they would be more inclined to purchase a green home. The study said green homebuilding is now a $36 billion per year industry in the U.S.
There are many reasons for owning or buying a green home.
Low Operating Costs
The technologies and practices required to build a green home to a certain standard may result in lower costs to operate the home. Energy-efficient appliances and lighting systems result in lower energy consumption compared to other models. Using less water through water-conserving faucets, showers, toilets, and irrigation systems may also result in less water consumption. Employing photovoltaic panels for solar electricity and water heating, and geothermal heat exchangers could utilize natural resources, too. A tight building envelope construction using spray foam insulation such as Icynene® and a properly sized HVAC system means that less energy is needed to condition spaces.
The Environment
Some renewable, recycled, and other efficient building products used in green home construction may reduce the impact on natural resources. Global Warming is another major concern that green homes can help address by using materials that minimize the impact on climate change. For example, HFCs are considered as powerful greenhouses gases that have a “high global warming potential (GWP)”. In the foam insulation industry, for example, HFC 245fa a standard blowing agent, has 950 times the GWP of CO2. Many Builders seeking greener options are choosing Icynene® because it is 100% water blown and HFC free.
Health & Comfort
Indoor environmental quality is one of the guiding principles of the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines. Homes that allow for proper air exchange through mechanical ventilation and has low-emitting products like low- or no-VOC paints, create a healthier indoor environment. Icynene® is an ASTM qualified air barrier and does not allow airborne dust, pollutants and allergens to enter the building delivering a healthier and comfortable indoor space.
Concerns about environment, energy costs, occupant health and even resale value of the home will add up green for builders and buyers alike. Green homes are definitely shining through as the bright spot in an otherwise gloomy housing market.
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