What do they mean by “green?”
The real estate market is suffering from negative news. Is “going green” on older homes the way to add value?
This led me to do research about what it takes for an existing home to be considered green. Right away, I learned a new word, “greenwashing.” It is defined as promoting “a house as green despite only minimal changes to traditional construction.” Apparently, some new home builders have been guilty of this practice.
How to determine if a home is green? That may not be easy. Aside from numerous local and state green building groups, two national organizations are vying to create the official standard and certification. Each has it own specifications, leading to a muddy picture of what green means.
One entity is the U.S. Green Building Council, USGBC, which has developed the “LEED” program – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The National Association of Home Builders is the other body working in this arena.
Despite the lack of agreement on definitions, the following is a partial list of items considered necessary in calling a home green:
– Efficient use of energy and water
– Minimal use of natural resources
– Improved air quality
– Energy efficient appliances
– Efficient faucets
– Efficient duct works and air filtration
– Low-emissivity (Low-E) windows
– Non-toxic, low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint
– Orientation of building to the sun
– Roof material and color
– Drought-resistant landscaping
– High efficiency irrigation system
– Reuse of rainwater and indoor (gray) water
– “Enhanced” insulation
– Energy efficient lighting fixtures
– Fireplace ventilation
My conclusion after my crash course in being Kermit-like? There is much to know and do for a property to be properly called green, even in the absence of specific standards. Updating existing homes to incorporate these improvements could be costly. Doing this for the sole purpose of selling for a higher price is a risky proposition. As time goes on, however, buyers, especially for upper-end houses, will be willing to pay more to preserve the planet.