Green Homes-Why are they so slow to catch on?

I suppose it has somewhat caught on here...I think we need more education as well!

I think the points mentioned above, cost and education, are all very valid however, politics plays a major part in the center of all of this.

 

Just skimmed this post over but had a few ideas --

HSGBC and Leed - we all need to become a part and get the word out through blogs, press releases, etc. As Adam has said - PYRO Marketing.  I have not yet read the book (it is on order, it was sold out when I went to get it). I have watched Adam market his project and gained not only benefits for the homeowner but also exposure for the vendors -- and more importantly -- for Energy Efficient Building Models...On AR we are doing that with our ECO All-Stars posts! Pat yourself on the back for bringing this to the forefront and making it less scary to the general public

JaneAnne - great to see the growth in Asheville - how exciting! I don't remember what, but I also recall something I read the other day about Asheville and bicycling. Asheville sounds like it is on the forefront with forward thinking brokers like you...

All of us, paying so much for gas, utilities, rising food costs (due to transportation, etc) need to keep in mind -- as my Dad always said, KISS (if you don't know, email me). What got us to the point where we were so dependent on these "resources". I have an Amish community very close to me and I know they don't fret over electric bills or how much gas prices are at the pump -- they worry more about the hay to feed their horses. Now, our rising utility costs do affect prices of hay. Point being, their community is very sustainable with minimal outside sources for living.

JMHO - thanks for listening!!! 

Jeff - you say "Could it be because they are cost prohibitive. I think it is human nature to avoid change until somethin makes you change."

I read this as two different thoughts. 1. Could it be that our Perception makes us think it is cost prohibitive and 2. we have not educated people enough to know there is a better way -- WE are the educators

You are right - People have not been educated that it is NOT cost prohibitive and they have not been educated that this is a better way!!! We need to give them resources to light their way. 

Let me know if you want to know ways to begin to achieve this end.... 

Very cool!  I think if it only costs .50 cents per square foot more, builders should be doing more and education would help those folks that are remodelling!

Stephanie, I'm completely off the point as usual. But I like what you have written here. I think you should put this on the back of your fliers or maybe on post cards promoting yourself. We have to try to influence one person at a time. When the demand goes up so will the supply.

Hi Stephanie:

I agree with the general sentiments mentioned here about education, perception of cost and builders/developers misreading the market fro green building features and design.  But for some reason the City of Chicago is going GREEN in a BIg Way. Here are some of the links: green construction and green roofs,  While Asheville is embracing green homes, conservation residential developments with green homes, as well as other types of green eco-investments, the mayor of Chicago has truly taken up the cause. There may still be hope for Houston! HAng in there.

It still comes down to cost.

I don't know ANYONE that wouldn't want to own solar panels. Ask anyone, if you could have Solar Panels for the same cost as regular Electricity would you do it. It's an overwhelming YES.

Everybody who sells anything knows the sales technique of trying to put the focus & push on VALUE, however, through all my years of Outside Sales, Car Sales, & Selling myself through Services I offered through various businesses, I KNOW that 95% of Americans just look at $. They could care less about Value if it costs too much. 

Everyone would love to have a Maid, a Professional Cook, & a Personal Trainer...We can see the Value in that, health, peace of mind, organization, more time for kids & other wholesome activities, etc., but what does it COST.

Sure GREEN is taking off, but not like it would if the COSTS didn't hinder it.

I love the idea too. In Ohio, the resources are coming around, but not found as easily as in other major areas. Plus it does cost slightly more, and let's face it, America wants instant gratification at the lowest possible price. The thing people don't realize is that the up-and-coming trends in interior design have been taken from the green interiors that are leading the way. Earth colors are hotter now than they have been in years. Hopefully the manufacturers can take the lead to give the consumers the instant gratification at lower prices.

www.mystagedlife.com

2 reasons: 1) cost 2) ignorance!

I think it is mostly cost. IF a regular water heater costs $300 and a Rinnai on demand water heater costs $3000 which do you think people are going to buy? (and I have no idea what they cost so I am just throwing numbers out there!) I would love to go more green but financially I have to do a little at a time. I am one of those that thinks watering a lawn is rediculous. If you live in an area where you have to water your lawn then you should plant native plants and give up on grass. Use rocks and other landscaping materials to fill in where you would have grass. Grass is for golf courses and cows. You can have a nice looking home without an acre of green grass. I have a koi pond with no electricity hooked up to it. It's not as clear as ones with filters but it is more "green" this way. I use solar powered landscape lighting. I haven't bought a regular light bulb in who knows how long. It's a little at a time to get us where we eventually want to be. If everyone did a little bit then we'd be years ahead of where we are now.