Top 10 Reasons for Green Homes

There are many benefits to eco-friendly living. Here are 10 big ones:

1. Lower utility and water bills. Having energy-efficient appliances in the kitchen and media room can reduce monthly utility bills. Tankless water heaters mean less time and water wasted waiting for water to warm up in the sink or shower.

2. Healthier indoor air quality. Green-certified homes offer reduced exposure to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins. This is especially beneficial to sufferers of asthma and bronchial disorders.

3. Tax benefits. DSIRE is a database of state incentives for renewable energy and energy efficiency. Through the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the U.S. government offers several tax breaks and incentives for efficiency upgrades to homes. The Department of Energy offers federal tax incentives. The USGBC lists local tax breaks. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also offers sources for green funding, as does the Energy Star program.

4. Higher real estate resale value. According to an article in Business Wire, on the one-year anniversary of the Northwest Multiple Listing Service’s addition of green-design search features to its property listings database, analysis shows that new and existing green-certified homes in King County sell in up to 18 percent less time and for 28 to 37 percent higher value per square foot.

5. Improved durability and less maintenance. Certain green building materials such as bamboo floors are easy to clean or require less maintenance than traditional carpet flooring.

6. Reduced waste sent to landfills. Modular homes are built in factories that recycle the waste generated during the construction process and leave less waste at the construction site. Many green homes often use recycled building materials.

7. Enhance and protect biodiversity and eco-systems. Using xeriscaping and native landscaping reduces needed irrigation.

8. Conserve and restore natural resources. Harvesting gray water saves on water bills. Composting saves money ordinarily spent on fertilizer and sends less waste to landfills. Alternative energy sources means a home neither contributes to rolling blackouts nor is it as badly effected by them.

9. Better for the environment. In the U.S., homes are responsible for 21 percent of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions, according to the USGBC. Living in a green home means that you’re helping reduce the causes of climate change. Using local materials means less fuel is used when shipping exotic materials from other countries and ensures fair trade and labor issues.

10. Optimize life-cycle of a home. The greenest homes are sustainable, meaning they were built to last and work effectively for generations.