Going green with your home doesn’t always mean you have to downgrade your living standards. In fact, thanks to the growing availability of greener product choices, you don’t need to drastically cut back on the number of showers you take at home, and you can still leave the light on in your office study once in a while without being unreasonably wasteful. While the purchase of a green home may sound like something reserved for environmentalists, it does have incredible benefits for all homeowners. If you’re looking to move soon, here are three reasons to go “green” with your new home.
1. Increases Value
One of the reasons a green home is so attractive to homebuyers in today’s market is because it can boost value. Even if you purchase an older house, you can still make eco-friendly improvements that impact the value of your home, such as choosing ENERGY STAR rated appliances or installing water-saving toilets. If you’re planning to build your new home, you can get the most value by building a custom green home. From start to finish, a green certified homebuilder will ensure that your dream home is not only energy efficient, but also environmentally friendly.
2. Saves Water & Energy Consumption
According to Tara-Nicholle Nelson, a real estate broker at Trulia, a green home can reduce your utility bills by as much as 20 or 30 percent—that’s a savings of $400 to $600 per year! If you live in areas with extreme temperatures the savings could be even higher, she says. With improved energy efficiency, a green home also means a homeowner can expect more savings. In fact, the EPA estimates that energy-efficient homes contribute to a total annual savings of over $19 billion in the U.S. That’s some serious cash!
3. Less Construction Waste
Traditional building construction produces a lot of waste, but it doesn’t have to be this way. According to the EPA, building construction, renovation, and demolition projects contribute to 60 percent of the nation’s non-industrial, non-hazardous solid waste. But by having green building standards, the U.S. could reduce the 170 million tons of construction waste found in landfills as well as improve greenhouse emissions. Certified green homebuilding means that building materials are either salvaged and reused or recycled during construction. This translates into less waste and fewer materials for landfills. Whether you’re planning to purchase an existing home or build a new one, a green home can provide a greater return on investment, improve energy efficiency, and produce less waste than a traditional home. If you’re ready to get started on your new certified green home, contact us today for a consultation.