subject: Let Your Home Be Green [print this page] Global warming is no breaking news today for the effects can be obviously felt since quite some time now. The U.S. Department of Energy reveals that the residential sector consumes 22% of the total energy and 74% of the water. The indoor air pollutants level is shockingly higher than the outdoors. Almost 87% of American homes use air conditioning. This calls for an urgent sustainable living solution such as green homes.
Some progressive home builders have taken up the pains of getting acquainted with the breakthroughs of construction science, technologies and operations that help build homes that have high performance levels in terms of comfort, temperature-control, and ventilation, light availability and durability. These homes are generally comfortable, sometimes even stylish and up-market yet energy efficient and low on any kind of wastage that occurs during construction. Many new houses in Florida are certified green buildings due to support from non-profit organizations like Florida Green Building Coalition encouraging application of green-proven designs and technologies.
What about Existing Homes?
Can existing homes be made greener? Sure. It is important to understand in what areas the excessive energy consumption or wastage of important resources like water takes place. Moreover remember going green will also bring down your bills. Firstly Energy Star rated products are generally energy efficient. But that, in no way means they can be left switched on even when not required. The energy saving habit also needs to be cultivated.
Secondly, your lighting can make a big difference. LED lighting is not just low on power consumption but also a means to beautify your home by spreading them out. A quick tip when buying a ready property, say a home for sale in Orlando, make sure you let your home builder aware that you seek a green home, for even if the said property isnt, it can be customized into one as per the local weather conditions, before you move in.
Growth of the Green Homes Sector
An increasing number of green home builders are making sharp progress in the proliferation of building and selling green certified homes. Programs can be seen springing up all over the nation. The green certification is popular since it attracts the government incentives of tax incentives, weatherization money, additional funding to green programs, etc. Theres a premium placed on green homes today as soon as they get a third-party certification needless to mention the marketing advantage they enjoy.
Residences in some states even enjoy an incidental advantage while going green. Lets take Alabama it was ranked 5th in the United States net electricity generation from wood waste, landfill gas, and other biomass in 2011 which was generated by nonutility power producers. Therefore houses for sale in Alabama wont find much difficulty in getting a green accreditation for they have to focus on making structural differences only, for the energy used is already renewable.
Whether people realize the importance of green living or not, green homes are certainly the future.
