Green Home Construction on the Rise
Since laborers have been building homes, the techniques really haven't changed since the late 1800s. While prefabricated homes and what's termed "stick built" still account for the majority of units, there is a trend that seems to be increasing in the U.S. — building homes that are environmentally-friendly.
According to a recent report, the demand for green homes is on the rise with the market projected to be a $100 billion sub-market within the home construction industry by 2016. Not only are these homes friendly to the environment, the report indicates that consumers believe that these new eco-friendly homes will have better value in the long run.
In 2011, green homes made up roughly 17 percent of the market and is expected to reach two out of five homes by 2016, according to the report.
The biggest attribute to a green home is energy efficiency, of course. Ninety percent of homeowners surveyed said energy efficiency is important because of personal values, and because of lower energy bills. Other eco-friendly factors include indoor air quality, material durability, use of post-consumer materials and sustainability-focused waste management practices.
Another big incentive for consumers is the fact that mortgage lenders and regional programs offer discount interest rates for green homes.
Regardless of the incentive, consumers should also inquire about the materials that they will be using to build their home, especially the foundation. A home built with concrete blocks, for example, does not suffer from the same number of insect infestations as wood construction homes.
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