While some home builders report that buyers don't want to pay extra for Earth-friendly construction materials and methods, others detect a willingness to embrace the concept of building sustainable and affordable housing. With a proliferation of new eco-friendly technologies, homes now have the potential to cut utility bills and make neighborhoods more "green."
ALTERNATIVE DECK MATERIALS: Recycled plastic lumber and wood composite materials reduce reliance on chemically treated lumber.
REDUCE WASTE: Factory-built components including trusses and prehung doors that allow more efficient use of raw materials. These products eliminate the need to cut wood at the job site.
HEATING AND COOLING UNITS: Selecting more efficient, correctly sized heating, cooling and water-heating equipment saves money. Tankless water heaters provide hot water on demand.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF NATURE: Incorporating passive solar design including south-facing windows help heat the home in the winter and provide natural daylight. Energy-efficient windows hold heat inside during the winter and outside in summer.
ADD INSULATION: Increasing the amount and R-value of insulation is a cost-effective way to save energy and help reduce heating and cooling bills.
UP ON THE ROOFTOP: More durable roof coverings such as steel and fiber cement reduce the frequency of roof replacement. Now solar roofing products integrate traditional roof materials.
SOURCE: National Association of Home Builders Illustration by Rick Vitallo