| and more frequently I read that the | | | | be insulated with green insulation material that also |
| “green home” is the way of the | | | | has a high insulation value, e.g. rigid foam insulation |
| future in the home building industry. With just a | | | | that does not outgas. Third, air conditioning and air |
| fraction of 1% of the homes today being green, | | | | duct work has to be sized properly for the house. |
| I’m not so sure, however. It maybe 20 | | | | Basically the air conditioning system needs to be |
| to 30 years from now, but I question the | | | | highly efficient and minimized to no more than |
| assertion that in the next decade that 50% of | | | | what the home really needs. Fourth, the home |
| the homes will be green homes. Unless of course | | | | has to employ water and electricity conservation |
| the phrase “green home” is | | | | techniques. |
| redefined. Similar to how pork is described today | | | | Green home proponents claim the cost of building |
| as the other “white meat”. | | | | a green home is only 3 to 5% higher than existing |
| A green home is a home that is designed and built | | | | home building costs. Again, I question these |
| to use less water and energy and is constructed | | | | numbers. Typically a green home is a custom |
| using recycled materials. To be certified as a | | | | home, and a custom home usually has much |
| green home, the home usually needs to be less | | | | higher material and construction costs than a |
| than 2500 sqft in total living area. There are a | | | | standard home. |
| number of organizations around the country that | | | | The green home is without question an excellent |
| specify what qualifies as a green home or green | | | | goal, however I think the residential home building |
| material. Some of the organizations include the | | | | industry will be slower to move in this direction |
| EPA’s Energy Star program, Environments | | | | than its proponents think. Home costs continue to |
| for Living, and HealthyBuilt Homes. These | | | | represent a higher percentage of |
| organizations rate homes on a point or star | | | | homeowner’s income, and as a result the |
| system. A green home, for example, with a 5 | | | | green home will be out of reach and unaffordable |
| star rating is considered to be at the highest level | | | | for many. Unless the government provides |
| of green conformance. | | | | significantly higher incentives for builders and |
| To qualify as a green home, a home needs to | | | | homeowners to make and buy these homes, the |
| incorporate several key features. First, it must be | | | | green home will remain in the category of |
| a tight house so that there is little to no air | | | | windmills and solar energy. Neat ideas that have |
| leakage inside or out. Second the home needs to | | | | yet to become viable market opportunities. |