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The Demand for High
Performing-Healthy Housing is here!
“In the end we will
only conserve what we love. We only love what we understand. We only
understand what we are taught.” –B. Dioum, Ecologist
The
“green” building and remodeling market has exploded over the last
several years, with consumers demanding homes that are healthier for
their families, better for the environment, and less expensive to
operate (i.e. energy-efficient). Recent studies have shown that people
are willing to pay more for the peace of mind that comes with owning a
healthy home.
A healthy home is a
home designed, constructed, maintained, or rehabilitated in manner that
supports the health of residents. The concept of healthier housing is
receiving considerable attention from public health and housing
communities.
A recent survey
conducted by the Robert Charles Lesser & Co found that as many as 42
percent of all buyers would be motivated to purchase a green home based
on knowledge of their health benefits, compared with only 17 percent for
energy savings and 12 percent for the environment. On average, buyers
want to recoup the upfront cost of energy-saving features in 3.8 years,
but it takes almost eight years for reduced energy bills to make up for
the investment in these energy-saving features. Meanwhile, buyers who
are aware of the link between indoor air quality and a range of
illnesses are unwilling to cut corners to protect the health of their
families.
“Green” Sustainable
and Healthy homes start with a “whole system” Approach. Constructing or
remodeling a sustainable and healthy home requires careful planning and
attention to details
A whole-house
systems approach considers the interaction between you, your building
site, your climate, and these other elements or components of your home:
Builders and designers who use this approach recognize that the features
of one component in the house can greatly affect other components, which
ultimately affects the overall energy efficiency and health of the
house.
These are some benefits of using a whole-house systems approach:
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Reduced utility
and maintenance costs
-
Increased comfort
-
Reduced noise
-
A healthier and
safer indoor environment
-
Improved building
durability.
It is extremely
important for Real Estate Professionals educate themselves about
sustainable, SAFE and HEALTHY housing. This knowledge will empower RE
Professionals to
be extremely successful and have the competitive edge in the 21st
Century Real Estate Market.
Some examples of
education for Real Estate Professionals are
-
The National
Center for Healthy Housing Essentials for Healthy Housing
-
Energy Star Program-
the ENERGY
STAR label assures you that your home’s predicted heating, cooling and
hot water energy use is at least 30% less than a comparable home based
on the national Model Energy Code. Be aware that outfitting your home
with ENERGY STAR labeled products (e.g. windows, lighting, appliances,
etc.) will not necessarily make it an ENERGY STAR labeled home.
-
Building Homes
with the Whole Building System Approach- Housing is complex. It is a
system of People, the building itself and the environment.
-
Building Systems-
Modular, Structural Insulated Panels, Pre-Cast Foundations
-
Residential
Commissioning- Owning and operating a home requires a large financial
investment. Investing in poor performing and unhealthy homes means
homeowners are losing money. Residential Building Commissioning stops
this unnecessary loss of money by designing and building homes to the
highest of standards.
Links:
www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/building_america
www.energystarhomes.com/ESHController.aspx?home
http://www.pathnet.org
www.toolbase.org
www.nchh.org
Written by:
Michelle Roberts, Principal and CEO of Ecohealth Homes, a division of
Chatham Hill Residential Design and Build, LLC, Boston, is a Residential
Designer and Consultant Specializing in Building Sciences and Systems
and an Affiliate Member of the Greater Boston Association of REALTORS®. |
