As global warming, emissions control,
water and air quality concerns are on the
rise, the niche market in green homes is
gaining popularity. Increasingly, consumers'
preferences for products and services
reflect an awareness of energy efficiency
and environmental impact, and that extends
to those looking to purchase a home.
Ninety-two percent of home buyers consider
energy efficiency at least somewhat
important and 46 percent rank energy
efficiency as very important, according to
research from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
REALTORS® (NAR). NAR has
introduced a new
GREEN designation for
REALTORS®, which will help home buyers and
sellers who care about energy efficiency and
environmentally sound building practices
identify REALTORS® who can help them meet
their green home goals. NAR has also
recently released the
2009 Family Guide to Going Green, which
offers tips for children and parents.
Green building may be incorporated from
construction, through green materials and
design, through reconstruction with energy
efficient materials. There are basic
inexpensive as well as costly methods for
making yours a "green home."
Here are some basic, everyday tips for a
more eco-friendly home environment and
additional resources for homeowners and real
estate professionals.
Look for products and appliances approved
by ENERGY STAR, a joint program of the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency and the
U.S. Department of Energy. The ENERGY STAR
program sets the guidelines for
energy
efficient products and appliances to help
you save money and energy in your home or
office.
Consider switching light bulbs in your home
to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).
According to
New Jersey's Clean Energy Program, using
these light bulbs can help you save an
average of $30 or more in energy costs over
each bulb's lifetime.
Unplug instead of "turn off." Even though
your television or DVD player is turned
"off," odds are it is still using energy in
idle mode. Also consider unplugging your
cell phone and digital camera chargers when
not in use.
Lower the temperature of your water heater.
By reducing the temperature a few degrees,
you can save energy and prolong your
heater's efficiency.
Recycle not only your newspapers,
cardboard, plastic, glass and aluminum, but
also your old batteries and
electronics, such as your used computer or
cell phone.
Find alternative uses for materials such as
plastic bags, egg crates and plastic
bottles. Reuse these materials in gardening,
traveling, shopping, etc.
Purchase products made from recycled
materials.
Waste Management:
Look for
composting
sites in your area.
Composting
is the biological decomposition, or
breakdown, of certain organic material to
create soil with nutrients and minerals
beneficial to plants, animals and
microorganisms.
Organic
materials that can be composted include
clean paper, cardboard, leaves, yard
trimmings, fruits and vegetables, tea bags,
coffee grounds and filters, etc.
Consider a grasscycling program, which
involves leaving the grass clippings on your
lawn after you mow. The clippings naturally
decompose and release nutrients that help
fertilize the lawn.
Read chemical labels carefully. Follow the
directions on labels to avoid potentially
toxic chemical mixes.
Participate in
LEED for Homes, a home rating system
that measures the performance of a green
home in water and energy efficiency, indoor
air quality, location, design, and other
factors.
Find a
LEED
Home Provider in your area who will
offer technical support and verification
that your home is built according to the
green standards of LEED for Homes.
Available since 1979,
green
mortgages offer incentives for home
buyers to obtain a more energy efficient
home. The money that would be saved on
utility bills allows consumers to qualify
for a higher loan.
