Four great gains of going green
Searching for your 2018 dream home? Green building programs have taken root as a staple in home construction, from WaterSense-certified faucets to solar panels. For example, Briar Chapel, the largest green master-planned community in the Triangle, builds all homes according to the rigorous National Green Building Standards (NGBS). But what tangible benefits do homeowners actually see from energy efficient homes and a sustainably built community?
Pocket change - And lots of it
One of the most immediate and tangible results of a green built home manifests in your monthly energy bill – or lack thereof! Homes built according to the third-party regulations of the NGBS program prove to be approximately 24 percent more efficient than the average North Carolina home. Other green building programs provide homeowners with options to increase energy efficiency up to 80 percent. What’s the translation? Briar Chapel has collectively saved residents approximately $2.8 million in energy bills since its inception in 2008, which amounts to 150,000 tanks of gas, 40,000 date nights and 8,000 beach weekends. It’s the good stuff of life.
A Healthier Quality of Life
Energy efficient, green-designed home systems pay close attention to the Indoor Air Quality (AIG) and improve air quality by eliminating initial pollutants in building materials, ventilating current airflow effectively and filtering out new pollutants. This means your toddler can play on your carpet without threat of inhaling harmful glues or fumes. It means that North Carolina’s notorious pollen stays outside of your walls. It means you and your family can breathe easy and enjoy the great indoors together.
Efficient, stable water resources
Since every drop counts, green-built homes mandate vital features that save water, lower water bills and provide an overall more efficient system for your family. For example, according to the EPA, homes built with all WaterSense-certified elements can help homeowners save 50,000 gallons of water each year, which translates into approximately $600 of annual savings in utility bills as compared to a standard built home. For those that enjoy outdoor living, water reclamation programs can meet the needs of even the most avid gardener. In some cases, master-planned communities, such as Briar Chapel, include their own independent water systems that utilize reclaimed water to irrigate parks and lots. This significantly minimizes the community’s demand for potable water, provides a stable supply in seasons of drought or change and supports lush landscape and natural topography for you to enjoy.
Rejuvenation, Relaxation, Relationships
The benefits of green building extend far beyond the dollar and cents of energy bills and drip-free faucets. Sustainable land design encourages mobility, activity and social interaction. Many master-planned communities draw inspiration from the original topography and preserve open space, natural landscape and indigenous wildlife.
This translates into neighborhoods dotted with parks and playgrounds, lawns for games of Frisbee and winding trails for biking or family strolls. Briar Chapel features 24 miles of trails, 20 parks and more than 900 acres of preserved open space. Trail systems allow residents to commute on foot, encouraging an active, healthier lifestyle. Family activities, friend meet-ups, date nights and local concerts are all just an easy stroll from your own back door.
Briar Chapel is a proud member of the Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange and Chatham Counties and will join the Triangle’s leading builders and developers to showcase innovative green homes on the 2018 Annual Spring Green Home Tour. Join us on April 28-29 and May 5-6, 2018, to explore what green building means for you and your family!
