While ‘stick built’ and prefabricated homes still account for most residential dwellings in America, there’s a new construction trend emerging – building environmentally friendly homes.
According to an article on technorati.com, the demand for eco-friendly homes is rising rapidly and by, 2016, it is projected that there will be a submarket of green homes in the construction industry worth $100 billion. Not only are these homes kind to the environment, but a survey reveals that consumers believe new green homes will have higher values in the long run.
In 2011, environmentally friendly homes made up about 17% of the new construction market. By 2016, it is predicted that 2 out of every 5 new homes will be ‘green.’
Of course, the biggest benefit of an eco-friendly home is energy efficiency. 90% of homeowners who participated in a survey said energy efficiency is important because of lower energy bills and personal values. Other factors include the use of recycled materials, material durability, sustainability, waste management practices, and improved indoor air quality.
Irrespective of the incentive, it’s important for consumers to inquire about the materials to be used in the new construction of their homes, especially the foundation. For example, homes built with concrete blocks are not prone to the amount of insect infestations that wood construction homes are.
New construction and design should be done with the wind and sun in mind. Trees should be planted near the south-facing side of a home, and windows should be installed on all sides to provide cross ventilation. Awning windows should also be considered because they can remain open during light rainfall.