Joan - Excellent idea for a post and this series will help explain the extra quality that is involved in green homes. I look forward to learning from you!

Well Steve...that may be so. But with renewed, and I believe a sustained interest in the environment , I can see it becoming a demand and a marketing "gimmick"( I prefer to think of it as a tool) for Realtors

Steve - I would agree that there are some new home builders who try to ride this wave as a marketing gimmick. You can refer to my Greenwashing article for information.

I have also been exposed to some very high quality Hi Performance Homes that far exceed anything else being built in the market today in terms of quality and the extra features that are incorporated into these homes. I believe we have only started this wave and as public awareness increases you WILL have clients who want to see and will demand only Hi Performance Homes. I understand Colorado is one of the states in the country who has been on the forefront of this development. Maybe it is just "expected" in your state. I would encourage you to follow Joan's series and also read some of the blogs in the Eco All Stars to get an idea of the Smartness of this type of building!

Thanks Mary...I'm looking forward to learning all about it. I've been talking to a rater (RESNET) and he is looking at some educational classes I might be able to take so I can promote myself as an "Energy Partner"

Where did Steve go????

Joan - this is great information!  We have a couple of builders in our area that have started promoting the new energy efficiency standards incorporated into new construction.  I'm not quite sure how well it's taking off, but it sure makes sense.  Good job, Joan!

Joan - Invite your RESNET rater to join Active Rain! Mike Holcomb, the rater in our area, just joined. I look forward hearing great things from him! That would be great if you could learn more about the subject and be a resource for people to turn to. I truly believe it is the future and we need people like you to help dispel the myths and expose the greenwashers!!

ps. Steve must be busy!

Hi Carol..this is going to be a fun series to do. I do love learning new things!

Mary...I did invite him...but he hasn't joined yet. I'll have to put a bug in his ear!!

Joan, Thank you for an excellent post with something so many people are interested in.....going green and saving money.  I look forward to learning more as well.

Thanks Joan. This was great. It will give us all a better way to think Green. Great Post!

Joan - put that bug in! We need all the help we can get! You are doing a great job and I am glad you started this series! I'd especially like to hear more about Indoor Air Quality!

Good morning Joan !   What a wonderful and informative post. The building trends towards energy efficient homes in recent years are very timely and good news for the environment. Most homes built here in Ontario now follow the same guidelines you have outlined above. There are government incentives and kick-backs for purchasers of these homes here too.  

I'm looking forward to reading all of the posts in this series....so much to learn !  Thanks for writing about this.

Jo 

Jeez, Joan, now you're chasing off your commentors?  You're right- Colorado began the built green campaign years ago.  Areas such as Colorado have unlimited ground on which to build, so each builder makes an effort to exceed the efforts of the most current.  It makes for some pretty amazing product, in addition to a state of the art home buying experience.  That said, you hit the nail on the head by understanding that people are now spending BIG BUCKS to maintain their homes and the accompanying bills- this series will hit home for those that want to be eco friendly and save money at the same time!

Hi Carole...maybe I can work in the Eco-friendly Feng Shui aspect? Any ideas?

Hi William...I 'm always glad to see you here! Might as well take some advantage of the slower times and work on creating some new business eh!

I suspect its information we will all find useful in the near future!

Hi again Mary...I agree ...that is one of the most interesting aspects! There are so many kids with asthma and other air quality sensitivitys that could shape up as huge!

Jo...It would also be interesting to know how the subject is being dealt with up your way! Maybe you could fill us in? (Not before you finish the ghost story of course!)

Thanks for the kudos Laurie! I really do think the interest will grow!

(What did happen to Steve?)

Besids the savings that can be gained from green principles and products, your housing will most likely be a more comfortable living environment and much safer from a health prospective.

Besids the savings that can be gained from green principles and products, your housing will most likely be a more comfortable living environment and much safer from a health prospective.

Evan...I see from your profile this is your area of "expertise" Thanks so much for your input and I'd appreciate any other observations as I continue the series.

Joan, I showed an Energy Star home in a HOA near me in Lake Ariel.  My buyers were very impressed with how cool it was inside without AC running, even though it was 94 degrees outside.

In the past we could say that builders and homeowners didn't know any better.  Renovating our own house has been quite an education of the "standards" of the 1950's.  LOL.  We've noticed a marked difference in the winter time with just the little bit of upgrading we've done; when this house is complete it's going to be so efficient it'll EARN us money.

Well, maybe not THAT efficient... hee hee 

I hear ya Karen...I really think all of these issues are going to gain importance as time goes by. Good for you on the upgrades..if it saves $$$ it's a good thing!

Joan,

Thank you for the post, I agree and I think that these new high performance homes are only the start of a much larger trend, time to ride the wave and feel good about what we do!!! 

Hello Gabe..I agree I don't think this new interest will be a "Fad" I think it is here to stay...out of necessity! I'm trying to catch that wave at the beginning of the roll! Thanks for your comment!

Joan, we can get energy efficiency with insulation, now to find cheaper fuel to keep warm!