> Everyone wants to save the world.
> Everyone wants to protect the health of our family.
> Everyone wants to create a safe living environment.
> Everyone wants to save money.
We all recognize that building green can help do all these things. But how exactly can you achieve these goals and are your options? While you may realize the importance of an environmentally friendly home, many people often believe that to make a real difference you have to spend a lot of money.
When do we finally leave our state of denial? Why is it that humans do not recognize something has to be done until it is too late? Like the frog that sits comfortably and seeminlgy unknowingly in water that is slowly brought to a boil. Or the stop sign that is only installed at that cross roads after a terrible tragedy.
Temperatures are rising - when was the last time you got stuck in a snow drift?
Our need for energy is mounting, exceeding our production.
Our use of water is growing, surpassing our limited resources.
Our demand for building supplies is swelling, outgrowing replenishment, which in turn is causing vast deforestation.
America is changing. Individuals, Families, Communities and Businesses are ever more asking themselves what they can do to act in a more environmentally sound way. They want to make smart decisions - choices that save energy and, whenever possible, a little money, too.
There are several different reasons why people choose to ‘go green’ when it comes to buying or building a home which is friendlier to the environment. For some, their overall environmental awareness and belief means that when it comes to housing, there can be no compromises. For others, the driver may not be quite so rigid in all of their consumer choices but they also want to do ‘their bit’ for the planet and, at the same time, hopefully, save some money in the process over the long-term. Yet others just want to make smart decisions on saving money over the long-term.
The need to Act
It is time to take action. Study after study has confirmed that global warming is already occurring and that, although it may not solely be caused by human activities, our behavior and actions are definitely accelerating, escalating, intensifying, and strengthening its impacting. We are the primary cause for the severity of today’s global warming. The only uncertainties are how soon and in what ways will Global Warming disrupt our existence. More severe weather patterns? Stronger storms? Flooded coastlines? Harsher droughts? More disease? Not to mention that our waterways, food, and air are already polluted to unsound levels in many areas, affecting our health and quality of life every day.
But there is still time to act, and our great-great-grandchildren will thank us for living more sustainably, starting now. Fortunately, many of the steps we can take can actually make our lives better as well.
The energy needs of the United States are continuously increasing and expected to double by 2030 from the 2000 requirements. At the same time common but finite energy sources such coal, gas, and oil are dwindling. The resulting trend of rising energy costs, augmented even further by families buying larger homes, leaves most households faced with mounting energy expenditures.
Today, as some of our natural resources are coming close to being depleted we’ve come to realize that if we don’t do something about it now, our only legacy will be to leave a trail of destruction for our children and our grandchildren to clean up. We ought to be aware of the damage that mankind has perpetrated upon the environment.
Choosing to Live in an Environmentally Friendly Way
We should, by now, understand that action is needed right now if we want our children and future generations to be able to enjoy the same standard of living that we’ve had in our lifetime. Despite many of us being only too happy to save money for our children’s future for things like their education, weddings etc., isn’t it about time we started saving fuel resources, cleaner air and fresh water for future generations that will come after us?
When it comes to our health, going “green” is also important: According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air can be two to five times more polluted compared with outdoor air. A major cause are the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) commonly found in paints, stains and glues. When these products dry, they release chemicals and continue to do so for years. This can exacerbate allergies and asthma, and cause headaches and nausea.
Low VOC paint, natural stains and formaldehyde-free glue (formaldehyde is also used in hardwood floors) can prevent a large portion of bad air quality, adding air cleaners will ensure the air inside is at least as good as outside, and thus healthy.
Financial Benefits of Going Green 
Given the huge increases in the cost of fuel prices over recent years, it’s little wonder why more and more people are choosing green homes and business premises these days. Homes built in a sustainable fashion have more effective insulation, make the most of the sun with solar power, and favor energy efficient appliances and water conservation features. And, although it may take some time to recoup the costs by installing these items, there are many loans, grants and subsidies to assist and, over time, you’ll reap the benefits of the cost savings you’ll make. You’ll be making a firm commitment to helping the planet recover which will make the world a healthier place for future generations and, perhaps most importantly, lessen the damage you are causing to the environment which bears the greatest cost of all.
Green upgrades will typically add 5 to 10 percent to the cost of the house. Taking it to the extreme might add 20 to 30 percent more then traditional homes, but this would only be for those who consider all environmental options.
At the same time, there are also some significant tax credits available on the state and federal level that may help pay for those upgrades and improvements. For example, you can claim a credit of up to $500 on your 1040 for installing energy-efficient windows, insulation, doors, roofs, boilers and air conditioners, etc.
The ultimate return on investment test is to consider what it takes to recoup the additional investment: Assuming a 30-year fixed rate loan for 80% of the home purchase price (20% down payment) at an annual rate of 6.5%, adding 5% worth of investments to a $500,000 home will increase your monthly mortgage by $158, adding $35,000 or 7% of upgrades will add $221 monthly. As long as your estimated monthly savings less any tax savings are estimated to be above this increase in mortgage rates, the higher cost will be financially beneficial.
Another aspect is to consider is resale value. In recent years, green homes have come a long way. Although eco-friendly features are rarely sold, they do tend to result in faster sales and at the upper end of the price range. In the future, as eco-friendly features are more sought-after, they may become a necessary “requirement” for the salability of a home.