Are Green Homes a Smart Investment?
by Guest on May 27, 2018
Regardless of whether you’re sold on the idea of global warming, there’s no denying that the “green” revolution isn’t showing signs of stopping any time soon. People are clamoring for environmentally friendly products, from cars to shopping bags. Where does real estate fit in all of this? You’re likely aware of energy-efficient appliances, roof-mounted solar panels, and environmentally friendly building materials, but are they worth it? Obviously, a greenhouse is good for the environment but, for a variety of reasons, it’s less clear that going green is actually a good investment. We’ll explore the reason for this below.
What Does It Mean to Go Green?
As mentioned above, there’s no doubt whatsoever that green innovations in homebuilding are great for the environment. However, this is still an emerging concept in the construction industry. It’s so new, in fact, that the average person lacks a clear understanding of what green building actually means.
As an ultimate goal, a green building aims to create an energy-neutral house. In other words, a true greenhouse would draw zero percent of the energy produced in the United States, through a combination of using less energy and creating some of its own. Given that buildings currently consume nearly half of the energy produced in America, accomplishing the green building goal would have an enormous positive impact on the environment. Of course, this type of impact doesn’t come cheap, or else every house being built today would be built this way.
Builders who specialize in green construction charge rates up to 15% higher than builders of traditional structures. Although numerous tax rebates and other incentives are available to green homeowners to defray these higher building costs, they still won’t break even for at least 12 years. Because of this, there have been only very few green homes built in the entire country. Given the expense of this type of project, you should very carefully consider whether it makes sense for you. It is recommended to consult with a lawyer and financial professional to see how local laws, and your financial situation, might impact your decision.
Of course, it is still possible to purchase or build a house that is at least partially green. Every little bit does count when it comes to helping the environment (and reducing some of your utility costs and earning tax rebates). You can also potentially retrofit your existing home to be a little bit greener and reap some of the same benefits.
Retrofitting
If you can’t find a new house that is green enough for you, or if you simply aren’t in the market for a new house but would like to explore a greener lifestyle, you could always retrofit your current house. Again, it may be too expensive to turn your traditional house into a fully energy neutral one, but you can make small changes here and there to make your house more energy-efficient. Installing better insulation or windows are good places to start, and will pay for themselves in just a couple of years.
Conclusion
Going green is undoubtedly good for the planet, but it may not be a good investment idea for most homeowners at the moment. This may change as the green construction industry matures, but for now, energy-neutral houses are cost-prohibitive. However, small improvements to your existing home to make it more energy-efficient can be a good compromise that can make your home better for the environment while lowering your utility costs.
Popular Articles
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
65313 Views
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
63406 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
58932 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
40231 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
25229 Views
Latest Articles
6 Reasons Why Your House Is Not Selling
As soon as you decide that you need to sell your house, time starts to fly. As of June 2021, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported...
on May 17, 2022
What is the Average Cost to Repair a Foundation?
The most important part of any structure is the foundation, considering that it gives support to everything above it and ensures that the structure...
on Apr 26, 2022
6 Favored Methods for Foundation Waterproofing You Should Know
If you have ever walked down to your basement and noticed a small trickle of water or a small puddle on the floor, you may dismiss it as no big...
on Apr 24, 2022
7 Great Hacks For People Who Hate Doing Chores at Home
Count yourself lucky if you find cleaning and doing chores therapeutic. For the rest of the population, doing chores can be one of the most...
on Apr 12, 2022
Driveway Drain - Why is it Important for Safety
A driveway is often our first impression of a home. It tells people how we want them to feel when they're welcomed in. That's why it's important to...
on Apr 1, 2022
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates

Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Sponsored Articles
6 Reasons Why Your House Is Not Selling
on May 17, 2022
Real Estate / Finance
As soon as you decide that you need to sell your house, time starts to fly. As of June 2021, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported...
Juan Plumbing - Learn about SCAMs
on Sep 17, 2021
Hire Contractors / Estimates

I can firmly say, I'm only trying to be an advocate for a neighbor that is a DISABLED SENIOR who was taken advantage of in this SCAM. I feel the...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 258
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 233
- Real Estate / Finance — 188
- Appliance / Repair — 185
- Interior Design / Decor — 181
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 145
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 138
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 114
- Plumbing / Basements — 114
- Doors / Garages — 112
- Safety / Security — 112
Articles Archive
More DIY Articles
Why Your Home Needs a Shed
Most people who have enough space on their property often fail to make the most of all that space. And one of the most obvious of such oversights...
Furniture Fabric Care and Cleaning
The useful life of upholstered furniture can be increased if the consumer follows a few simple fabric protection rules. It is very important that a...
How to Choose Paint Colors with a Color Wheel
Ever seen someone dithering over the rack of paint samples at a home improvement store? That's a home decorator in agony over how to pick paint...
Tips on How to Restore Your Art Deco Furniture
Having art deco furniture in your home is a great thing but most of us tend to forget that they also wear out and therefore need restoration. In...
Oil Vs Gas: What is Best for Heating Your House?
With cold weather setting in, many homeowners are looking at different ways to heat their homes. Most furnaces use either oil or natural gas, and...