Why build green?

There has never been a better time to build green homes. Consumer demand is on the rise and homeowners are increasingly willing to pay a premium for green features. There is also an abundance of resources from the Green Built North Texas program offered by our Association. As a result, help is never more than the click of a mouse or a phone call away.

Some people go to great lengths to build green homes – installing solar panels or a geothermal heat pump for renewable power, for example. Others build green by adding extra insulation or energy-efficient appliances. Choose the level that works for you, and enjoy the satisfaction that comes from knowing that the changes you made are good for your customers, your business and the environment.

While the overall housing market continues to cool, the green building sector is expected to increase from its current value of $1.8 billion to between $6.5 billion and $19.6 billion by 2010, according to a recent study by the NAHB and McGraw Hill Construction. Most green home buyers look for a variety of features, including energy conservation (such as solar energy and fluorescent lighting), renewable or recycled materials, anything that reduces global warming, and lower operational costs.

Many green building techniques can be applied at little or no additional cost. Plus, when operational costs – such as heating, cooling and water use – are factored in, green buildings often cost less over time. Thanks to the green building movement, homes built today are typically twice as energy efficient as those built 30 years ago.

Green Built North Texas is a voluntary residential program developed to promote and facilitate practical approaches to green construction. The program is designed to offer local builders information on products and building practices to help build homes to meet their buyers’ diverse needs. Visit www.greenbuiltnorthtexas.com.

— Danny Moss is president of the Greater Fort Worth BA.