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Kathryn Lipiecki

Green building prioritizes the environmental impact, occupant health, and resource efficiency (such as energy and water) in new home construction. To promote green building and to standardize what is considered "green," third-party certifying organizations have developed green building programs for both commercial and residential buildings.

Some examples of such programs include LEED for Homes, which is a program through the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the NAHB Green Building Guidelines, which were developed through the National Association of Home Builders.

What defines a green-built home?

Green home building programs focus on site design, resource efficiency, energy efficiency, water efficiency, and indoor air quality. Each program is based on a point system, and a project needs to achieve a minimum number of points in each section in order to reach a level of certification as a green home.

However, a building does not have to be certified in order for the homeowner to realize some of the benefits of green; existing homes can also be renovated to meet some or all of these criteria.

Energy Efficiency

One of the most significant factors for homebuyers when making the decision to purchase a green home is the fact that green homes are more energy efficient than conventional homes. The majority of the energy used in the U.S. is derived from non-renewable resources such as fossil fuels, which comprise 85 percent of the country's energy sources. ^[1] Oil prices, natural gas prices, coal prices, and energy costs impact homeowners when it comes to heating, cooling, and operating their homes. Rising costs encourage the exploration of alternative energies and increased user efficiencies.

The environmental benefits of reducing the energy requirements of a home include decreasing the amount of carbon dioxide that a home emits. Though harmful carbon dioxide emissions are traditionally associated with automobiles and transportation, the operation of buildings in the United States contribute to 38% of its carbon dioxide emissions. ^[2] Reducing such emissions are one way to combat global climate change. ^[3]

An increase in energy efficiency and a reduction in the amount of energy needed to heat, cool, and operate a home will benefit the homeowner financially. In new home construction green techniques are used in addition to installing energy-efficient appliances to achieve increased efficiency. Such techniques may include thoroughly sealing the thermal envelope, designing an efficient floor plan, placing the structure on the lot to take advantage of passive solar design, and installing low-e windows, to name a few. Some techniques may be difficult (or impossible) incorporate into an existing structure, or may not realize a return of investment.

Energy Star program

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) implemented the Energy Star program in 1992, and was joined by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in 1995 with the purpose of promoting energy efficient products for money savings and reductions in the emissions of greenhouse gases. ^[4] This program began as a labeling program for energy efficient products that would allow consumers to more easily identify such products and increase the market for them. There are thousands of Energy Star rated products for sale, including personal electronics, lighting, and major household appliances. ^[5] The program has since greatly expanded to include a rating system of the energy usage and leakage of new homes. Energy Star reports that in 2007 alone households and businesses saved $16 billion on utility bills, ^[6] and the typical U.S. household can use 30 percent less energy and see a savings of $400 on utility bills for a home that is fully equipped with Energy Star labeled products. ^[7]

Water Efficiency

Similar to energy efficiency, water efficiency refers to reducing the amount of water required to perform tasks, such as washing the dishes or watering the lawn. Water efficiency will help save money on water bills and could prevent water shortages like those that Atlanta experienced. Many communities across the United States are experiencing water shortages, and so green building and programs like WaterSense were implemented in part to address such issues. ^[8]

WaterSense program

WaterSense is an EPA sponsored program, much like the Energy Star program. This program was implemented to help protect the water supply in the United States and to increase the demand for water efficient products. ^[9] Similar to Energy Star, WaterSense features product testing and labeling for those products that meet specified criteria in categories like faucets, showerheads, toilets, and irrigation systems, to list a few. In August of 2008 WaterSense released a Water-Efficient Single-Family New Homes Pilot Program where homebuilders will build new homes to water-efficient standards.

Financial Benefits of Green Homes

Why go green? Some of the benefits to owning a green home include:

• Environmental - Reducing the energy requirements for home operations decreases the amount of carbon dioxide that a home emits. Though harmful carbon dioxide emissions are traditionally associated with automobiles and transportation, the operation of buildings in the United States contribute to 38 percent of its carbon dioxide emissions.^[10] Green homes also promote resource efficiency through the use of renewable energy, renewable resources and recycling or properly disposing of waste materials.
• Health - Indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than the outdoor air^[11] and health problems such as cancer and asthma have been linked to poor interior air quality. ^[12] Improving interior ventilation and limiting the introduction of harmful pollutants into the home will provide a healthier living environment in a green home, ^[13] which is more tightly sealed to prevent energy loss.
• Financial^[14] - In the long run, a green home will save money. Some of the financial benefits that one can expect to see include a reduction in operating costs (utility bills) through increased energy and water efficiency. ^[15]

Maximizing benefits

Tips for a lower energy bill

A home is an expensive investment not just in terms of purchase price, but also in terms of operation costs. Lowering operation costs, such as utility bills, is one component of maximizing this investment. Just of few of the ways that one can reduce energy bills and conserve energy include altering occupant behaviors:

• Turn off what is not in use. Turn off the television when you are done watching. Turn off the lights when you leave the room.
• Avoid stand-by energy loss. Even when an electronic device or appliance is not on it could still be consuming energy. To avoid this unplug whatever is not in use. ^[16]
• Install CFL's (Compact Fluorescent Lights). These light bulbs use 75% less energy than an incandescent bulb and last longer. ^[17]
• Install energy efficient appliances. Appliances that are labeled energy efficient, such as those with the Energy Star label, can use 10 to 50 percent less energy. ^[18]
• Proper appliance placement. Make sure that your refrigerator is not placed near a heat source so that it does not have to overwork to keep your food cool. ^[19]
• Perform an energy audit. Hire a professional to test for air leakages in your home and correct.^[20]
• Consult your energy provider. Your energy provider will often provide seasonal energy conservation tips.

Rebates for clean energy

To encourage consumers to purchase energy efficient appliances, to expand the market for such products, and to decrease the risk of researching new technologies there are rebates available when purchasing energy efficient appliances. Such rebates or tax credits vary by location, but common rebates include:

• Manufacturer rebates
• Utility company rebates
• Federal tax credits
• Statewide energy efficiency rebates

Tips for a lower water bill

Water can be saved by altering occupant behaviors and by installing more efficient products:

Behaviors:

• Only run the washing machine and dishwasher with a full load.
• Turn off the faucet between brushing teeth or washing dishes when it is not being used.
• Repair leaky plumbing.
• Shorten showers. A four minute shower can use 20-40 gallons of water. ^[21]
• Keep chilled water in the refrigerator the tap does not need to run to get cold water.
• Water the lawn only when necessary.
• Install drought-resistant or indigenous plants.

Products:

• Install dual-flush toilets or toilets that use 1.6 gallons or less per flush^[22]
• Switch out shower head with low-flow versions.
• Install faucet aerators.
• Use WaterSense or Energy Star labeled products and appliances.

Costs of Green Homes

Higher up-front costs

There are some perceptions that green buildings cost significantly more than traditionally built buildings, even with the energy savings. ^[23]

On average, a new green-built home costs about two percent more than a traditionally built home, and those additional costs are associated with increases in design time and engineering costs.^[24]

Lower life-time costs

While actual lifetime savings compared to construction costs is ultimately dependent on which green features were selected, it has been estimated that on average, for an additional two percent in upfront costs spent on green design features, one is likely to see a life time savings of 20 percent of construction costs.^[25] In addition to saving money in the long run on utility bills and reduced maintenance costs, the typical green home can have a resale value that is about six percent higher than a non-green home. ^[26]

Investing in Renewable Energy renovations

Hiring a professional or contacting the local energy provider to perform an energy audit on a home will enable the homeowner to determine the energy usage and the energy leakage. An audit will identify problem areas where the home is not using energy most efficiently or is losing energy, and from that potential solutions can be identified. ^[27] Once the problem areas have been identified the homeowner must determine which green renovation investments make the most financial sense to implement, which will depend on expected energy savings, cost to install, and expected tenure.

Some common green renovation home investments include: ^[28]

• Upgrading insulation
• Insulating pipes, ducts, and water tank
• Upgrading an old, inefficient, or improperly sized heating and cooling system
• Replacing doors and windows with storm doors/windows that feature low-e materials
• Installing energy efficient appliances that are Energy Star labeled
• Purchasing renewable energy technologies such as solar power or geothermal energy systems

References

1. ↑ U.S. Department of Energy. Energy Sources.
2. ↑ U.S. Green Building Council. Green Building Research Funding: As Assessment of Current Activity in the United States.
3. ↑ Greenpeace. How to Save the Climate.
4. ↑ Energy Star. Energy Star History of Energy Star.
5. ↑ Environmental Protection Agency. Energy Star History of Energy Star.
6. ↑ Environmental Protection Agency. Energy Star Overview of 2007 Achievements.
7. ↑ Environmental Protection Agency. Energy Star Energy Star--The Power to Protect the Environment Through Energy Efficiency.
8. ↑ Environmental Protection Agency. Why We Need WaterSense.
9. ↑ Environmental Protection Agency. Why We Need WaterSense.
10. ↑ U.S. Green Building Council. Green Building Research Funding: As Assessment of Current Activity in the United States.
11. ↑ U.S. Green Building Council. Green Building Research Funding: As Assessment of Current Activity in the United States.
12. ↑ Environmental Protection Agency. An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality (IAQ).
13. ↑ American Medical News AMA. "Air-tight homes may be fueling rise in allergies".
14. ↑ Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). "Why Build Green?".
15. ↑ Energy Star. Energy Star Home Improvement: Improve Your Home's Energy Efficiency with ENERGY STAR.
16. ↑ Green Peace. Greenpeace How to Save the Climate.
17. ↑ General Electric. Compact Fluroescent Lights.
18. ↑ Energy Star Appliances.
19. ↑ Green Peace. Greenpeace How to Save the Climate.
20. ↑ Environmental Protection Agency. EPA Energy Conservation.
21. ↑ Earth Easy. Water Saving Tips.
22. ↑ Water Saving Tips.
23. ↑ New York Times "Not Going Green is Called a Matter of Economics".
24. ↑ Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. Green Building Costs and Financial Benefits.
25. ↑ U.S. Green Building Council. The Costs and Financial Benefits of Green Buildings: A Report to California's Sustainable Building Task Force.
26. ↑ Consumer Reports. "A bright--and green--spot in the housing market".
27. ↑ Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. U.S. Department of Energy "Home Energy Audits".
28. ↑ U.S. Department of Energy. Long-Term Investments for Energy Savings.