Anew study of home buyer’s choices focusing exclusively on green-performance innovations in the new home building industry. The study explores buyers’ attitudes towards various green building features, ideas or concepts, and the possibility that the home buying decision may be affected by any of these features.
It concludes that there is a notable growth in green and sustainable homes over the last several years. The results of this study further solidify the continued buyer interest in green building. They also point to the increased building of efficient homes and home remodelling work in the future.
The 5 key outcomes regarding top influencers in a home purchase decision include:
#1. Safe Community – 90% of all respondents
#2. Energy Efficiency – 88% of all respondents
#3. Low maintenance – 85% of all respondents
#4. Lower operating costs – 85% of all respondents
#5. Durable/Resilient – 84% of all respondents
Common Words New Home Buyers Use to Describe Green Homes Are:
32%: Efficient, Water Efficient, Energy Efficient, High Efficiency
15%: Eco-friendly, Environmentally-friendly, Environmentally-safe, Environmentally-conscious
8%: Solar, Solar Energy, Solar Power, Solar Panels
4%: Lower Utility Bills, Lower Costs, Saves Money
One fascinating conclusion of the new study is that the largest stimulus for green homes comes, not from millennials, as a lot of people may suspect, but from buyers age 55 and older.
What is a green building?
Green building, also known as sustainable building, or green construction, is best defined as a set of principles in home construction, which reduce the environmental impact the home has throughout construction and during the lifespan of the home.
It usually commences with the design of the home and its position on the lot. It resumes with the use of construction materials that reduce waste, have a small environmental impact, and are manufactured from recycled material and renewable recourses. It ends with highly efficient mechanical systems and energy efficient appliances and lighting. It also includes planning operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition.
What’s the Problem – Why Green Building?
In recent years, more and more professionals have been focusing on energy efficiency in a variety of industries. Studies show that the development and long-term growth of larger communities have had a major impact on the surrounding natural environment. As such, experts are beginning to focus on the design, construction and large-scale manufacturing of green buildings that could provide individuals with a more responsible way to consume natural resources. Not only does the widespread functionality of green buildings improve the local environment, but those working and living inside the buildings can enjoy healthier atmospheres, free of unnecessary pollution and waste.
“Green Building” as a Solution
It is essential to understand that there is no general formula for building a green home. What can be deemed as “green” depends on many different factors like climate, vegetation, availability of local materials, relative costs and a host of additional details?
There is a constant debate regarding which building methods are in fact “greener”. Is it more ecologically safe to use a recycled synthetic carpet, which is recycled from waste but will eventually find it’s way into a landfill, or to use wood floors, that can be expected to last much longer and come from a renewable resource, but demand cutting down trees? The solution is not always clear.
Although methods may vary, there is a general understanding regarding the goals of building green homes.
The goals of green building are to improve the energy efficiency, of buildings, cut down on the waste of raw materials, use land, soil and water resources moderately and efficiently and lessen the construction waste. All of these factors combine to decrease the ecological footprint that our living spaces create.
