There have read many posts on Active Rain about why Builders should go Green. I believe a lot of it is educating..not just builders, but everyone. What is Green all about? How does it benefit the average home buyer? How do I go Green if I know nothing about it?
Here is something that I wrote recently that explains why and how I believe Builders can make an effort to GO Green.
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The Building Industry has changed time and time again over the years. New building techniques make the old obsolete, new products improve the performance of the home, styles change faster than some change their light bulbs. But what is the "green" that everyone is hyping? Is it just another fad or style that will change quicker than the name of the bank next door? Quite the contrary. Green Homes are really designed for the consumer or homeowner.
Every buyer that I encounter has different wants and needs. Each one has their own lifestyle to take into consideration while searching for the perfect home. Although it is not common yet in Houston for someone to call saying that they want a ‘Green Home', each one is looking for Green Features whether they know it or not. Other buyers know that Green is the Responsible thing to do.
As the cost of Gas and Electricity continue to rise, consumers are looking for Energy Efficient homes. Building Green is about envelopes of the homes being tighter, using more Energy Star appliances, using a higher SEER Rating on HVAC systems all to reduce the costs of Utilities for the consumer. Building Green simply adds to the Efficiency of the home with the products used and the design. A Green Home could give someone the ability to build a McMansion without being McBroke with their monthly bills. One item that is often left behind is Lot Placement. Simply placing the home on the lot the right way using a Passive Solar Design can reduce Energy Bills significantly.
Consumers are starting to look more and more at Healthier Environments both outdoors and in. Consumers with Allergies and Asthma are looking for ways to live a more comfortable lifestyle at home. True Green Building Products not only promote a Healthier Environment for the Earth, but the Indoor Environment as well. Low VOC paints, carpets, cabinets, sealants, etc. help reduce contaminants inside the home and not necessarily raise the cost of the home. When you add the tighter envelope, healthier HVAC systems, whole house HEPA filters if desired, Efficient/Tighter Windows and Lot Placement to the picture, you have a much healthier home as well. Local Schools have jumped on board by building to LEED specifications for a healthier environment for children. Imagine what it could do to homes?
Green is Stylish. Stylish ways that don't go out of style. The majority of consumers love windows, just put them in places that are effective for heat gain/loss. More and more consumers want trees, why not design around them as natural shade for efficiency. How about countertops? Those hip new glass countertops-they are recycled. How about Garage Doors? There are even Carriage Style Recycled Garage Doors available in Houston with a great R-Value.
If you wanted to take this a step further, you could consider a Renewable Energy Source such as Solar or GeoThermal depending on your homeowner. You could consider Rain Water Capture for those clients that do not want a high maintenance yard.
The beauty of a Green Home is that there are so many features and designs to choose from that the consumer asks for everyday. With so many options available, one can build a Green Home for very close to the same price. Take a look at your current specifications and supplies. Take a look at the local GHBA Green Building Standards or even the USGBC LEED Specifications. I would bet that cost wise, there is a lot of room for Green.
Stephanie Edwards-Musa
The Eco All Star Challenge for the month is to write about a Visionary or someone taking a risk in light of sustainability. I considered many people, companies and topics for the subject-but narrowing it down to just one is really difficult.
Here in Houston it is not uncommon to stop by a filling station to put air in your tires once a month. It seems as though whether the tires are brand new or years old, they always need air. As much as we drive in this business, waiting too long to put air in your tires can be costly in gas mileage.
When I left the dealership I was even more curious and the traffic was not bad so I took it to the highway. I really can feel a difference. I can't describe it, but there is a difference. I had my husband take it for a spin because he thought I was crazy....and HE felt the difference.