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“The standards provided by NAHB are useful to some builders, depending on where they are starting from,” says John Keith, president of Denver-based luxury green homebuilder Harvard Communities. “Right now, we think it makes sense for home builders to strive to meet a variety of standards.”
Wilson agrees. “We adhere to the NAHB guidelines but we also work with the EPA’s [Environmental Protection Agency’s] Energy Star certification program to have all our homes certified and then take it a step further,” he says. “It’s not just about doing the minimum—it’s about doing as much as you can.”
Will a ‘Green’ Build Cost More?
One common perception is that building greener is more expensive. To some degree, that’s a fair assessment, says Carroll.
“We were very concerned about the added cost at the beginning of [our recent green development project],” he says. “We believed it could add as much as 15 percent to the project cost,” noting that while the added cost for more efficient appliances and mechanical systems were easy to figure, there were other elements they weren’t as sure about, like low-VOC paints and stains. But after talking to suppliers, he was pleasantly surprised by the bottom line. “In the end, we estimate that the program only added about 3 1/2 percent to the overall project cost. However, we feel comfortable that we and our tenants will reap the benefits of the NAHB Green Initiative for years to come on this development.”
The other element to consider is that as more builders strive for greener homes, an economy of scale takes over. For example, Wilson says that because he specializes in green homes, his builds are on par with the cost of more conventional builds in the same area.
“Because of the scale at which Green Builders operates, our homes are comparably priced to any other home in the area,” Wilson says. “If it’s done right, the consumer doesn’t have to suffer the additional costs to have a green home versus a traditional home. Plus, the operating costs of one of our homes is actually less than a ‘non-green’ home of comparable size.”
What’s the Demand?
All the buzz surrounding “green” products and ideas can sometimes mask the actual demand—or lack thereof. Do consumers really even want a greener home? Builders say the answer is a resounding “yes.”
“Energy efficiency and green construction used to be the stuff of jokes about hippies,” says Keith. “That’s just not the case anymore. Green construction has gone from being a fringe element to being an everyday consideration for a lot of mainstream homebuyers.”
And as consumers ask, builders listen. “This year at the NAHB Builders Show, ‘green’ was the main topic of conversation. Five years ago there was hardly a mention,” says Carroll.
And Wilson says if you build it green, the buyers will come. “We’re finding that consumers want to be green,” he says. “If you do all the work for them by building a green home, it’s even easier for them to live a green and healthy lifestyle.”
What Does the Future Hold for ‘Green’ Building?
As Carroll mentioned, if builders were talking about “green” five years ago, they were probably discussing paint colors. Now the awareness of more sustainable, environmentally responsible building methods is there, and it’s up to consumers to push builders toward making green their goal.
“Consumers need to ask the right questions and vote with their wallets, and the building industry will follow, just like the auto industry has done with hybrids, for instance," Keith says. "We've seen demand increase even more in the last year as energy efficiency garners more public awareness."
And as green becomes more mainstream, Keith says homebuyers are realizing that going green doesn't mean sacrificing creature comforts.
"Buying a home is an emotional decision, and we understand that," he says. "Energy efficiency is absolutely important, but so are all the other considerations, such as location, space, school districts and comfort. Consumers want the 'greenness' incorporated with granite countertops, high ceilings, large living spaces—all the amenities they can get in other new homes. By making a home comfortable and beautiful, we've helped people realize that environmentally friendly doesn't have to mean Spartan or odd. Consumers see the benefits of the energy efficiency combined with luxury.”
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Text by Alyson McNutt English
© 2008 BobVila.com
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