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Earth Day Starts With Reducing Energy Use at Home
Earth Day is here, and to mark the occasion NAHB is encouraging home owners everywhere to take simple steps to reduce energy use — and to think green when they buy a new home.
“We are all proud of the significant steps our members have taken to make new homes more energy-efficient,” said NAHB President Sandy Dunn. “More than 100,000 green homes have been built by our members in home builders association programs around the country. We’re moving the market — in a voluntary, cost-effective way.”
Per square foot, new homes consume less than two-thirds the energy of older homes for heating and air conditioning, according to federal utility-use audits and research by NAHB economists.
“Americans who have bought a new home recently should all take a big bow on Earth Day,” Dunn said. “Today’s energy-efficient homes leave a lighter footprint — and that’s something new home owners can be very pleased about.”
Energy efficiency is an important driver in the green building movement and usually accounts for about half the costs of making a traditional home green, NAHB studies show. In the new NAHB National Green Building Program, homes must be 15% more energy-efficient than required by the prevailing building code to meet the bronze level of certification.
When ready to buy a new green home or renovate their existing home, consumers can choose a builder or remodeler who participates in the NAHB National Green Building Program and local home builders association programs or who is a Certified Green Professional.
“As many advances as we’ve made, NAHB recognizes that new energy-efficient homes are only part of the solution. We need to be better energy stewards in the homes we have now. That’s the most efficient way to make a noticeable impact on the amount of power we use,” Dunn said.
Dunn also suggested three simple measures that can make a significant difference in residential energy consumption:
- Switch out some light bulbs. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that if every home replaced its five most frequently used traditional light bulbs and fixtures with bulbs bearing the Energy Star label, the U.S. would save about $8 billion in energy costs and the greenhouse gas equivalent of emissions from 10 million cars.
- Change heating and air conditioning system air filters. The EPA recommends changing the filter at least every three months and more if it looks dirty. Dirty filters slow down air flow, making the system work harder and use more energy.
- Seal and insulate. Home owners can typically save up to 20% of heating and cooling costs by air sealing their homes and adding insulation in attics, floors over crawl spaces and in accessible basement rim joists.
“As national leaders in the green building movement, it’s important for NAHB to remind our customers — American home owners — to be energy conscious. We all must do our part,” Dunn said.
For more information, e-mail Calli Schmidt at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8132.
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