Why Buy A “GREEN” Home Or Condo?
Green homes are the trend these days. In a world where people are fast using up the earth’s natural resources and irreversibly so, green buildings have gained importance in the real estate industry. Green building techniques include the use of building materials that are renewable and locally available. Green homes protect the environment, control energy costs and may serve as affordable housing. Today more and more builders are focusing on building green homes as these structures are proving to be profitable investments.
Many people believe that building green homes is a social and environmental responsibility and should be promoted by not just governmental authorities, but also by builders, developers and real estate professionals. Green homes save money and maintenance and are healthier to live in.
Building a green home is not complicated as one would think. The National Association of Home Builders has listed guidelines for building green homes that are very useful for home builders. The guidelines include an easy-to-use checklist that builders can follow during the construction process. With local home building associations creating regionally appropriate green building programs, the concept of ‘green homes’ is taking off among home builders.
Some people believe that building green homes involves a lot of money, at least more than conventional homes do. On the contrary, experienced green home builders say that building a green home is not as expensive as it is hyped to be. Custom builders can build green properties at the same costs it takes to build conventional homes because green building materials are now readily available and cost efficient. Green products such as user-friendly insulation, chemically neutral paints and flooring, natural landscaping products, compact fluorescent bulbs, solar roof panels, etc. are all readily available. Because most green products are energy efficient, installing them helps the home owner save a lot of money that otherwise would go toward footing a home’s utility bills.
Environmental consultant David Johnson in his book “Building Green in a Black and White World” provides extensive survey information on home buyers’ preference of green homes. One national survey puts the percentage of the market that is open to and interested in green buildings at a whopping 50%. This is proof enough for the growing popularity and demand for green homes. Builders can join their local green building programs to take advantage of this growing market segment. Home buyers can opt for green homes, which are energy efficient, environmentally friendly, durable and cost efficient.
Rakesh Lall
http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/why-buy-a-green-home-or-condo-85120.html
Posted in green energy
Can a condo or apartment dweller take advantage of any solar devices for home energy useage?
I live in a condo and would love to hear your thoughts about this. Being interested in cutting my power bill and using green energy is great, but how can I take advantage of that living in a condo?
I should add that I have a good sized porch I could take advantage of.
You can buy a solar calculator. This will allow you to perform green arithmetic. It will work on your porch to.
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Hi If you have any south facing window open your window shades when it is sunny out. The sun will help to warm up that apart of your apartment or condo. You can also get solar powered fans and Xmas lights. Their also small solar battery chargers for laptops. The above are just a few things that you could try. Here are some website that I have used for ideal in my home in the past. http://www.homepower.com or https://www.motherearthnews.com
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Solar electric is a very long term payback proposition. With current costs it would likely take 20 years to recover your investment. If interest is high, it could take forever.
So a rental apartment dweller is unlikely to do this.
A condo corporation might have rules that prohibit your doing this, if not explicitly, then by interpretation. Next, it would be best if the condo members were to decide what might be best to do, keeping in mind the needs and opportunities for the whole corporation. The corporation could then make provisions for example to use both the electrical and heat output. Heat will have close to half the value of the installation, but if there is no plan to use it, then there must be provision to dump the heat, get it away from the panels.
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