The "Green" house movement is catching on with home buyers and sellers in Marin and Sonoma County.  Enviromentally friendly, energy efficient homes have been around for years, but until recently, these "green" homes have amounted to little more than a niche market in real estate.   Now, some 37 years since we first celebrated Earth Day,  there are signs that the green movement is finally making inroads into the mainstream housing market.
      One of the reasons green building and remodeling techniques are catching on is that developers and homeowners have discovered that there are financial advantages to going green, in addition to the benefits of helping to protect the enviroment.
      What makes a home green?  The term Green Building refers to construction or remodeling practices that increase a homes performance and enhance the health and experience of those who live in it.  Among other things, a green home saves water and energy, reduces material use, minimizes waste, uses low-impact materials,  and makes the building healthier.
      A recent survey by Green Builder Media revealed that a growing number of homebuyers want to purchase environmentally friendly, green-built homes and are willing to pay a premium to do so.  A survey of 250 residential builders across the United States reported that 80 percent of their buyers said they prefered to purchase homes that incorporate sustainable or energy efficient features.  Of those buyers, half said they would be willing to pay 11-25 percent more for green built homes.  In health concious Marin County, those numbers may be even higher.
      Existing homeowners are also discovering that home makeovers that incorporate green techniques can make their properties stand out from the crowd, commanding higher prices in this market.



      If your thinking of going green, the following tips can really be helpful:

1. Maximize natural daylight and passive ventilation: Daylight makes a dramatice difference.  In addition to making you feel better, daylighting can cut down on your electric bills.  Well placed  operable windows circulated fresh air throughout your house.
2. Chose deconstruction and construction site recycling.  The demolition debris from a typical kitchen or bathroom remodel equals four years of curbside recycling for the average household.  Minimize the impact on your project by keeping reusable and recyclable materials out of the landfill, which will save costs too.
3. Weatherize your home.  Adding insulation and new energy efficient windows to an older home not only saves money in fuel costs, it improves comfort year round.
4. Buy energy efficient kitchen appliances, furnace and water heater. All appliances with an "Energy Star" rating are a good choice.  Many of these energy efficient products  qualify for a tax credit...check with your tax advisor for more information.
5. Choose water efficient fixtures: Toilet flushing, showers and faucets account for 60 percent of all indoor water use.  Installing energy efficient toilets, faucets and showerheads can save a typical household up to $200 in water and energy bills.
6. Use solvent free or low-emission paint: Low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint will make painting a healthier experience by minimizing the chemical fumes in your home.
7. Choose formaldehyde-free products: You may not realize it, but formaldehyde, a suspected carcinogen, is commonly found in some carpet, cabinetry, insulation, and other building products.   Consider installing a hard surface floor instead of carpet, or install a green rated carpet.
8. Buy used, recycled, certified or regraded wood products:  Certified wood products are cut from sustainably managed forests.  A growing number of stores are carrying these products, and they will have a seal to help indentify them.
9. Harvest your rainwater for irrigation and toilet flushing.  A well-designed rainwater harvesting system that captures rainwater from rooftops for use in irrigations and toilet flushing can cut annual water consumption by 50 percent.
10. Landscape using native and drought tolerant plants: Native plants are naturally adapted to our enviroment, so they require minimal care and watering and provide valuable habitats for birds and wildlife.

      Improving the energy efficiency and sustainability of your home will not only help our fragile enviroment, but also increases the value of your home.  And, save you some green in the process.

Looking for a "Green" builder/contractor in Marin County?   Green Habitat Design 415-307-2977 
   http://www.greenhabitatdesign.com/                        Email: info@greenhabitatdesign