Raleigh, North Carolina.  I have been asked what a “Green” House really is so, without going overboard, I thought I would try to answer.  With the costs of heating and cooling homes continuing to increase more and more thought is being given as to how homes can be made more energy efficient.  More homeowners are evidencing an interest in how this can be done and therefore builders are as well.  The buzz words - green home, green house or green building are used basically interchangeably.  There is no precise meaning for them but rather a broad meaning having to do with the issues involved. There are some themes that are common to most programs.  A list of the factors involved that I saw in the March issue of Fine Homebuilding is as good and as quick as any I have seen.

* Site work that minimizes the environmental impact of the house during and after construction.  * Energy efficiency.  * Water efficiency  * Use of recycled materials and materials whose production can be sustained without harming people or the environment.  * Healthful indoor air quality.

As you can see it is a “package” of items rather than just that of using new and better insulation, a more energy efficient heating and cooling system, etc.  Also, the part of the country one lives in has a great deal to do with what this list would include.

John Fish (919) 696-3474   Email: marvmax@mindspring.com   Website: www.JohnFish.com

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 19th, 2007 at 3:22 pm and is filed under Raleigh Durham Realtor, Home Maintenance.