So my last post arising out of the roundtable at our local Realtor Association coffee morning with some builders arises out of a question regarding "green" construction. Everyone nowadays seems to be jumping on the bandwagon to label their products green or energy efficient.
Since the national building code was altered in 2003 most homes could probably qualify as being green because of the added sealing that goes in to them to make them tighter. This has brought some of its own problems as house breathe less greater allergies have been reported and problems with higher radon readings where it might have leaked out of the house before. But with the code most homes are being constructed with passive systems.
Whilst buyers like the idea of green and energy efficient homes, most do not honestly want to pay the added cost that building a true green home requires. Whilst builders are offering buyers the opportunities to purchase and install geo-thermal heating systems few are willing to pay the added costs required, even when this is offered as an incentive, many prefer to take alternative incentives. Whilst buyers are unwilling to commit to the added cost many ignore the tax benefits that come with building to these higher standards.
So we are not seeing the increase in building of green homes expected in Chester and Delaware counties. Also many builders, especially smaller local builders cannot afford the added cost required to match LEED (leadership in energy efficiency and design) levels as these relate in a larger way to bigger building projects such as condominums, apartment or office buildings. The standards really do not apply to single family homes or even townhomes. However the local builders have adopted standards drawn up by the National Association of Home Builders that are more sensible for smaller projects. If you go to their site you can see how your project compares as they use a point system to score each project. Most homes probably achieve Bronze standard, although many builders have not bothered to have their jobs scored or applied for the green label. Silver and Gold levels cost more to build and are harder to reach and are affected by larger planning issues rather than just the house.
What does this mean for the future? Will buyers insist or higher standards of green building, or will cost preclude them from pursuing green homes. when hybrids first beccame available there was not much interest, as prices have dropped and more knowledge become available sales have increased, but still price is a major factor to most buyers who do not feel immediately impacted by not building or buying a green home. Only as we become more aware of our environment and the impact we are having on it will we insist on higher standards and strive for lower costs.
Nick & Trudy , I think if you tell clients they can build any shade of Green from Light to Dark according to their budget . Building a conventional home to the IRC "Code " is a D - it just passes no more no less . Building a Bronze Level Green is a "C" , a Silver Level Green is a "B" & obtaining Gold Level Green Certification is an "A" . Keepin' it Green !