"Greater energy efficiency drives consumers to choose a green-built home,” according to a survey by the National Association of Home Builders. With the cost of fuel skyrocketing, and consumers looking to fuel efficient cars to help at the pump, it is no surprise that they would also be looking for energy efficiency from their buildings.
According to the survey, which polled 800 registered voters about how important certain features would be in their decision to build a green home or remodel their current home to be more green, 64% said that energy efficiency would be the most important feature, the healthier environment of green homes came in second at 55%, and 49% percent believed it would be the right thing to do for the environment.
Home builders and designers who can provide energy efficient homes will have a better chance of surviving the recent housing slump. While general home sales are down, recent studies have shown that the sale of green homes is remaining steady. Green houses also tend to be worth more.
The one concern most consumers have is the cost of green homes. While tax credits and rebates help, home owners should be looking at the long term benefits of owning green. With lower energy and maintenance costs over time, the additional premium is worth it. Also, as technology and building techniques evolve, construction costs will come down.
In today’s volatile fuel market, energy efficient buildings are going to be all the rage, and delivering quality homes at a reasonable price will help many builders rise above the slumping market.
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