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Green Homes

Green homes are energy efficient, healthy and environmentally friendly houses built to local and national standards validated by third-party inspections.

Homes vary in efficiency, green features and ecological impact   Green is here to stay and builders have responded to the demand. Green homes save money, increase occupant comfort and health and are demonstrations of environmental responsibility.

Features common to energy efficient homes include:

  • Effective Insulation
  • High-Performance Windows
  • Tight Construction and Ducts
  • Energy Efficient Appliances and Materials
  • Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment

Certifications
Locally there are four predominant energy efficient home certifications.  All are validated through a rigorous independent inspection process.  Green certified homes go beyond energy efficiency to add water conservation, indoor air quality, resource conservation, durability, neighborhood preservation and global impact.

Energy Star is a government backed  program for energy efficiency.  These homes are the most common and are 15% more  efficient than standard homes. 
 The HealthyBuilt Homes program is a voluntary, statewide green building certification program supported by the NC Solar Center and the State Energy Office.  These certified high performance homes feature lower operating costs, improved indoor air quality,  improved water efficiency and reduced environmental impact.       

 National Green Building Program,™ of the National  Association of Home  Builders and adopted by the local Green Building Council,     certifies homes that are   energy efficient, healthier, and built with environmental sensitivity.  

LEED for Homes, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System,™   is a similar nationally accepted program for high performance,  energy efficient homes created by  the US Green Building Council.  LEED homes are performance-tested, third-party inspected, and certified as truly green homes that perform better than standard homes.             
Show me the green!

In addition to reduced operating costs, green home owners can save  money through tax incentives and reduced utility rates.  The NC Energy Star website is a resource for local information on what to look for in new eco-friendly houses or how to green your current home. Currently Energy Star homes account for only 3% of new homes in North Carolina. With the hundreds qualified builders responding to market demands the availability of more energy efficient and high performance homes is increasing.

Green homes save money and reduce pollution.


According to Larry Shirley, director of the State Energy Office, "ENERGY STAR homes are one of the key recommendations in the State Energy Plan. They will typically save $300 to $500 per year on heating, cooling, and hot water bills. That's $9,000 to $15,000 over the life of a 30-year mortgage."

The EPA estimates that by 2010, savings from energy-efficient investments will reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions in the United States by 2.4 million tons, the equivalent of the pollution produced by 1.7 million cars, and save taxpayers more than $750 million per year.

The Database of State Incetnives for Renewable Energy is the is the best source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives that promote energy efficiency and renewable enerygy. DSIRE is a project maintained by the NC Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council  funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.

              
How do I find a green home?

Contact Jeanne to discuss your eco-friendly home.