Green homebuilding and products fast becoming the new normal
By Christa Gala
For New Homes & Ideas, Jodi Sauerbier, Publisher
It wasn’t too long ago that folks scoffed at the idea of building green. Their main objection? Too expensive.
Not anymore. In a recent survey completed by Green Builder® Media, building green now increases your property value. In fact, today’s U.S. homebuyers are willing to pay between 11 and 25 percent more for a green home.
For Raleigh’s Homes by Dickerson, building green isn’t an upgrade anymore. Every home is built to at least a bronze level of green certification. The company is building in nine different Triangle communities, including Heritage Wake Forest, George’s Grant, Stonehenge Park and others.
“All of our homes are certified green through the National Green Building Program that is administered by the National Association of Homebuilders Research Center,” says Jon Showalter, comptroller for Homes by Dickerson.
What does green mean?
“We seal our crawlspaces which helps create a more energy efficient scenario for the HVAC unit that’s operating,” explains Showalter, adding the insulation is formaldehyde-free. “In general, it’s helping to make that home a more comfortable, more healthy environment to live in.”
Homes by Dickerson also implements an air barrier system, including using special wall board to encompass the house and then caulking and sealing plates inside the framing.
“We are really paying attention to keeping the outside air away from the conditioned air inside the home,” says Showalter. Research shows green building typically lowers fixed utility expenses by 25 to 30 percent.
HERS rating
If you’re wondering how energy efficient a home is, Showalter suggests checking the HERS rating. HERS stands for “Home Energy Rating System,” and you’ll find it on a blue sticker typically placed on the electric panel box.
If a house is built to the minimum North Carolina code, the HERS score will be between 95 and 100. “The lower the
number the better.... READ MORE regarding going green in your hom.
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