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
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...
74061 Views
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...
67744 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...
63662 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...
43690 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...
27129 Views
Latest Articles
Navigating Singapore's Property Regulations: A Guide for Foreign Investors
Singapores property market has been attracting foreign investors for many years, thanks to its stable economy, strong legal system, and transparent...
on Mar 22, 2023
What Truck Size Do I Need to Move a 3-Bedroom House
Moving to a new home can be a complex and stressful process, but with the help of the right truck size, you can make it a smooth and seamless...
on Feb 13, 2023
Five Tips to Take Better Care of Your Basement Insulation
Basement waterproofing is an essential part of home maintenance, as it helps to protect the basement from moisture, flooding, and other...
on Feb 12, 2023
Homeowner In The UK? Here's Why You Need to Know about Rainwater Drainage Systems
In the United Kingdom, there is an average of around 1,200 millimeters of rainfall annually. Keeping rainwater out of your home and away from your...
on Feb 2, 2023
What are the Advantages of a Metal Roof
Metal roofing is durable and beautiful, allowing a home to stand out from others with conventional tiled roofs. A metal coating can last a...
on Feb 1, 2023
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
Real Estate Investment for the Next Generation
on Oct 18, 2022
Real Estate / Finance

Investing in real estate is something that people have been doing for a long time. Most people invest in a home, so they can stay at the home. This...
Real Estate Investment for Future Generations
on Mar 14, 2022
Real Estate / Finance

Purchasing a home is not simply a financial commitment. It is also an excellent way to start accumulating your wealth. Your home is also a...
Can I Sell My House with a Leaky Roof?
on Oct 28, 2021
Real Estate / Finance

The answer to this query is YES. It is possible to sell a house with a leaking roof, but it's always essential to evaluate some factors before...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 260
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 239
- Real Estate / Finance — 195
- Appliance / Repair — 185
- Interior Design / Decor — 183
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 147
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 143
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Plumbing / Basements — 118
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 115
- Doors / Garages — 113
- Safety / Security — 112
Articles Archive
More DIY Articles
How to Measure Plantation Shutters
Plantation shutters are common from Florida to California, where the louvered varieties are used to create a lush, often sultry aesthetic and...
Seven Most Obvious Signs You Need Roof Repair
Do you pay sufficient attention to the condition of your roof? If not, you should no longer take it for granted. These structures protect houses...
Glossary of Real Estate Terms E - K
Anyone planning to buy or sell real estate can benefit by using this free real estate glossary of common terms. While this information provided is...
What Should I Consider Before Buying a Snow Blower?
You have come to the right place looking for tips when shopping for a new snowblower and the top 4 things to consider. Like with all purchases that...
Is Your Air Healthy?
Get a small camera; pull up a few of your registers and snap. What do you see? Can you picture yourself leaning in close and taking a deep breath...