June 13, 2011
Nation's Building News

The Official Online Newspaper of NAHB

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Green Building
Survey Finds Consumers Define ‘Green’ Home as Saving Energy and Water

A recent survey from Whirlpool Corporation and Habitat for Humanity found that 34% of consumers label a home as green if it reduces energy and/or water consumption and another 23% consider a home to be green if green features and materials are present throughout the entire property.

A similar number of builders — 35% — agreed with consumers that a green home was one that reduced the use of energy and/or water. But another 35% defined it as a home built to certification standards.

Concerning certifications and standards, 78% of consumers said that Energy Star qualification is important for residences. The National Green Building Standard (NGBS) was considered an important certification by 44% of consumers, and state certifications were considered important by 40%.

Builders also value Energy Star qualification, with 74% saying it was important, while 57% said that the NGBS was important. Fully 59% of builders polled said that they sometimes or always obtain some green certification for the homes they build.

Most consumers — 74% — rated their own homes at less than one-quarter green.

Habitat has set a goal for all U.S. Habitat houses to be built to at least minimum Energy Star standards by 2013, according to Larry Gluth, senior vice president of U.S. and Canada for Habitat for Humanity.

“These survey results demonstrate that many consumers recognize their homes can be more environmentally sound,” said Tom Halford, general manager, contract sales and marketing, Whirlpool Corporation.

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