What exactly is a green home and why should anyone want one?
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There are many reasons to justify your pursuit of a greener home.
Green homes use far less energy and water. 70% of the homes in California were built before the 1978 Title 24 energy standards were put into place. And few have received sufficient updates to bring them into compliance with those standards. This tells us that the average home in SoCal is far less efficient than it could be with some very simple, cost-effective updates.
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They typically have much lower utility bills every month. It is estimated that the average home could save up to 50% on its utility costs by undergoing a whole-house approach to improving the home’s performance. By identifying areas or features of the home that lead to wasted energy, cost-effective measures can be taken to reduce energy loss and greatly improve the affordability of the home.
They provide a healthier, more comfortable indoor living environment. We spend so much of our time inside our homes, yet we do not often think about how healthy our living environment really is. The US EPA indicates that the average indoor air contains 2-5 times the amount of hazardous pollutants as outside air. By being aware of the chemicals and gases that are inside our homes, we can mitigate harmful contaminants and introduce fresh, clean air to the living space.
Green homes are more durable and use better building materials. In the simplest terms, green means better. By using safer, more durable building materials, we can be assured that with the proper maintenance our homes will last longer and retain their value longer than the average home.
Green Homes are more valuable. Studies have shown that homes with energy efficient features sell for 8.5% more than homes without. Homes with Green certifications such as LEED or GreenPoint-rated designations have shown to sell for up to 25% more than standard homes. How much more would you pay for a home that is healthier and saves you money on your energy costs?
Greening your home reduces the amount of greenhouse gasses released into the atmosphere from carbon-based power production. 24% of the global carbon dioxide emissions is due to the production of electricity. And what’s worse, of the electricity produced only 15% of it actually reaches its destination! This tells us we are producing an enormouse amount of energy only to see most of it wasted during transmission and wasted by our inefficient homes! By reducing our demand, we can reduce our effect on the environment.
Green homes are the future! As we’ve seen with the recent introduction of the CalGreen building standards in California, regulation for higher home performance is eminent. Greening your home now puts you ahead of the rest. Greener homes are an essential part of a sustainable futureIf you would like more information on how to create a Greener Home Strategy for your house, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We would love to help you better understand how to make your home healthier, more efficient and more eco-friendly!