Even with the slowing economy, green building is still booming in the United States. The green building The market is estimated at $40 billion to $70 billion per year by 2012. There are several reasons why green building is showing such remarkable resilience to the financial crises faced by other related sectors such as construction. real estate and construction. It is renowned for introducing new technologies to meet ever-increasing consumer preferences and OEM demands. Statistics show that more than 80% of consumers are interested in green features and energy efficiency when buying a home.
In Charleston, South Carolina, many home buyers who would be interested in green features and sustainable buildings have not been exposed or educated about their options and for this reason are not asking for them. Your real estate agent can highlight these features as they can be the deciding factor when selecting a home to buy. There are many homes for sale in the Charleston real estate market with green features.
What makes a building green? An efficient green building is energy efficient; it consumes less water and natural resources. It creates less waste during its construction and is healthier for its inhabitants than a standard building. Green homes also tend to hold their value better, even in this slow real estate market, green homes value up to 15% more than comparable traditional homes. When taken into consideration, these factors could make the next greenhouse the perfect home for the buyer and the environment.
Some tips for buying a Green House:
Seek:
o Air quality improvement functions
o Energy efficient appliances (Energy Star appliances)
o Low-E windows and double glazing
o Solar power if available
o Natural light
o Native and drought tolerant landscaping
o Low-flow toilets
o On-demand hot water system and water-saving showerheads
When buying a new home, look for LEED-certified ratings from the US Green Building Council.
Tips for a green renovation:
o Reuse as many materials (walls, foundations, interior doors) as possible when building a sustainable home.
o Use new materials that don’t have to be shipped far.
o Consider adding energy-saving solutions such as geothermal heating and cooling systems, point-of-use water heaters, and solar panels that supplement the hot water supply.
o Insulate your new home well, use new materials like recycled denim and closed cell foam.
o Use structural panel systems and green roof systems.
o Use paints, stains and adhesives that contain little or no volatile organic compounds, as they improve indoor air quality.