| Affordable, environmental friendly, healthier living | | | | The McGraw-Hill Construction Company surveyed |
| and saving on energy costs are all benefits of | | | | one million U.S. households to ask those that |
| buying a green home. It's no wonder with such | | | | purchased LEED certified and green homes over |
| great benefits that there is an increasing | | | | the last three how they feel about their green |
| demanded for new green homes and green new | | | | home purchase. Eighty three percent of green |
| home trends in the housing market. | | | | homeowners said their new homes had lowered |
| According to the findings by U.S. Green Building | | | | operating costs, 79 percent said by the first year |
| Council homeowners with low incomes are | | | | after their purchase of the green home, their |
| tremendously satisfied with their benefits of | | | | energy bills were lower and also their water bills |
| buying a green home and are highly likely to | | | | were lowered by the first year after purchase. |
| recommend a green home to family and friends. | | | | This survey showed how the benefits of buying a |
| The USGBC found that 78 percent of | | | | green home were twofold, not only did |
| homeowners that earn less than $50,000 per | | | | homeowners save money on utility coast, but |
| year are more likely to purchase a green home. | | | | less natural resources were used to run the |
| Michelle Moore, the Senior Vice President of the | | | | home. |
| U.S. Green Building Council, said, "The benefits of | | | | When the green homeowners were asked what |
| green homebuilding must be accessible, and | | | | were the benefits of buying a green home; 42 |
| affordable, for every American family." Moore | | | | percent said environmental benefits like lower |
| continued to say, "Being able to afford your utility | | | | energy costs and healthier air, 34 percent of |
| bill is as important as being able to pay your | | | | green homeowners said comfort was a main |
| mortgage. Green homes are shining through as | | | | benefit; only 24 percent said improved |
| the bright spot in an otherwise gloomy housing | | | | appearance was their main benefit of a green |
| market." The U.S. Green Building Council | | | | home. More than 80 percent of green |
| administrates the LEED Green Building Rating | | | | homeowners believe that the benefits of buying a |
| System from everything from homes, schools, | | | | green home are not just economical, but a green |
| hospitals, and offices. | | | | home offers a healthier place to live. |