A new survey conducted for the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) confirms that a desire for greater energy efficiency drives consumers to choose a green-built home.

According to Brian Catalde, NAHB President and a Southern California home builder, “Green building is the home buyer's best defense against soaring energy costs.”

The NAHB survey of 800 registered voters asked how important certain items would be in their decision to either purchase a new green home or remodel their current home to be greener. Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of those polled said that “reduced energy cost” would be the most important. The second-highest scoring reason, at 55 percent, was “because it would be healthier” and 49 percent of those surveyed said it's “the right thing to do for the environment.”

The NAHB National Green Building Program paves the way for authentic yet cost-effective green building certification standards. The program aims at taking advanced steps in delivering affordable, sustainable and environmentally friendly building practices so home buyers' money can go towards green features, not green program fees.

The NAHB National Green Building program is working to make homes more durable, efficient and affordable. To be certified under the NAHB program, homes must meet energy-efficiency levels that are at least equivalent to ENERGY STAR^®, the federal Environmental Protection Agency program that has enjoyed great success in the marketplace. Since 2000, 750,000 homes have earned the ENERGY STAR^® label, indicating that they are at least 15 percent more efficient than required by current energy codes.

Icynene^® high performance insulation and air barrier material delivers energy efficiency with its unique ability to seal the building envelope to reduce air leakage. Icynene^® has been the insulation of choice for numerous projects in affiliation with well-respected organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, model reMODEL, EarthCraft House™, IBACOS and numerous show homes at leading industry tradeshows such as the International Builders' Show.

The Urban Lodge showcase home, built for the Seattle Street of Dreams is one such project that employs the latest cutting-edge technologies in a future-home which is well designed, functional, has very low operating costs, is healthier for its owner and will last for generations. The home is labeled ENERGY STAR^® and the energy efficiency of the home is well above a typical home insulated with conventional insulation materials. This home not only meets but surpasses the energy requirements set forth by IECC (International Energy Conservation Code) by 30%. Read more about this award-winning Icynene^® insulated home in the “Green Advances in The Urban Lodge at Street of Dreams 2007”.

The NAHB National Green Building Program is a voluntary program based on the three-year-old NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines. It is set to launch on Feb 14, 2008 at the International Builders' Show in Orlando, Florida. If you'll be at the show, then don't forget to visit Icynene at booth # W3089 and see why Icynene^® is the insulation of choice for four of the demonstration homes on display at or near the International Builders' Show.

Log on to Icynene.com in the new year to get your free passes to the exhibit halls or click here to learn more about Icynene^® in NextGen “Ultimate Value” Home, Show Village 2008 Green Home, Tradewinds Show Home 2008 and The New American Home^® 2008.

To contact an Icynene Licensed Dealer in your area click here.