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Green Home Building - Not Yet the Wave
of the Future
Contrary to Proponents' beliefs, the
Adoption of Green Home Building practices will be Slow to Take Off
By Mark J. Donovan
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More and more often I read that the "green home" is the wave of the future in the
residential home building industry. With less than 1% of the homes being green
today,
I question this assertion. It maybe 2 or 3 decades from now, but I question the
green home proponents that suggest that in the next decade that 50% of the homes
will be green homes. Unless of course the phrase "green home" is redefined.
Similar to how a used car is now describe as a "pre-owned car". |
A green home is a home that is designed and constructed to use
less energy and water and is constructed using recycled materials. To be
certified as a green home, the home usually needs to be less than 2500 square feet
in total living space. There are a number of organizations around the country
that specify what qualifies as a green home or green material. Some of the
organizations include the Environments for Living, EPA's Energy Star
program, and HealthyBuilt Homes.
These Green home organizations
rate homes on a point or star system. A green home, for example, with a 5 star
rating is considered to be at the highest level of green conformance.
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To qualify as a
green home, a home needs to incorporate several key features. First, it must be
a tight house so that there is little to no air leakage inside or out. Second
the home needs to be insulated with green insulation material that also has a
high insulation value, e.g. rigid foam insulation that does not outgas. Third,
air conditioning and air duct work has to be sized properly for the house.
Basically the air conditioning system needs to be highly efficient and minimized
to no more than what the home really needs. Fourth, the home has to employ water
and electricity conservation techniques.
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Green home
proponents claim the cost of building a green home is only 3 to 5% higher than
existing home building costs. Again, I question these numbers. Typically a green
home is a custom home, and a custom home usually has much higher material and
construction costs than a standard home.
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The green home is
without question an excellent goal, however I think the residential home
building industry will be slower to move in this direction than its proponents
think. Home costs continue to represent a higher percentage of homeowner's
income, and as a result the green home will be out of reach and unaffordable for
many. Unless the government provides significantly higher incentives for
builders and homeowners to make and buy these homes, the green home will remain
in the category of windmills and solar energy. Neat ideas that have yet to
become viable market opportunities.
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