Week of August 14, 2006
Front Page
First Impressions
Coast to Coast
Politics & Government
Economics & Finance
Legal
Tips
Business Management
Remodelers
Commercial
International
Education
Environment
Green Building
Codes and Standards
Workforce housing
Labor
Building Products
TV
Endowment
Association News
Apply for Green Building Awards

Color Drawing Explains Green Building to Home Buyers

Geared to helping home builders explain green building concepts to their customers, “Energy Innovation: How Homes Become Green,” can now be downloaded from NAHB’s Web site. The full-color illustration depicts a range of innovative green building features, including products that can be included in remodeling projects to create a more energy-efficient home.

“It’s exciting to see how many green products and technologies are available now for home builders and home owners,” said NAHB President David Pressly. “The green market is growing by leaps and bounds, and as the market expands, we will see prices come down, making energy-efficient choices much more accessible.”

The power generated by photovoltaic roof shingles, wind turbines and geothermal heat systems is expected to grow by 13.2% in 2006 and by another 15.6% next year, according to the federal Energy Information Administration. Replacing a traditional electric water heater with a solar model can reduce utility costs by up to 80% a year, and over the 20-year life of the appliance will reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 50 tons.

ENERGY STAR®-rated appliances slash utility costs by 10% to 50%. New front-loading washers use only half the water of conventional machines. Tankless water heaters provide hot water on demand at a preset temperature rather than storing it, which reduces or eliminates standby losses.

Meanwhile, old ideas are gaining new support — such as orienting the home to take advantage of sunlight and using xeriscaping with native drought-tolerant plants to conserve water. “Native landscaping reduces water consumption and requires less maintenance and little or no chemical treatment to stay pest-free,” Pressly said.

A high-resolution PDF of the “Energy Innovation: How Homes Become Green” illustration is available to builders and home builders associations upon request.

For more information, e-mail Calli Schmidt at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8132.



‘Residential Green Building SmartMarket Report’ Analyzes Green Building Trends

Residential Green Building SmartMarket Report,” available through BuilderBooks.com, addresses the growing trends and opportunities in green home building.

The report provides the results of market research conducted by McGraw-Hill Construction and NAHB about green building in home construction.

To view or purchase this publication online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.



‘Building Greener Neighborhoods’ Available at BuilderBooks.com

Building Greener Neighborhoods,” available through Digital Delivery at BuilderBooks.com, shows those involved in building new communities the advantages and rewards of saving, planting and transplanting more trees in their developments.

The examples are drawn from decades of experience of land developers, home builders and urban foresters. 

To download this publication, click here, or call 800-223-2665.



Save the Date for 2007 National Green Building Conference

Mark your calendar for March 25-27 for the National Green Building Conference.  Visit www.nahb.org/greenbuilding for more information.

 
NBN Tools
Print This Article Subscribe to NBN
E-mail Editor Print ALL Articles Manage Your Subscription

   
 
CEO Syron Puts Housing and Economic Trends in Perspective, Rejects Charge of Systemic Risk
The GSEs and Housing Affordability: A Necessary But Not Sufficient Condition
 
   
 
Find and manage projects right from your desktop.
Get your company listed in the new McGraw-Hill Construction Directory.
 
   
 
GM NAHB $500 Exclusive Offer
Great DELL Products and Great Prices
Save Up to 30% on UPS Shipping