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As the nation's home builders embrace green building in growing numbers, industry research indicates that even the most aggressive efficiency goals for new homes won't make a dent in overall energy consumption. Instead, remodeling and retrofitting the nation's older homes is by far the more efficient solution, industry experts said on Tuesday during a press conference at the International Builders' Show in Las Vegas.

The panelists spoke as the National Association of Home Builders commemorated Green Day, drawing attention to the green education and certification programs offered by the association and the many green products, supplies and materials on display this week in the world's largest home building industry show.

Home building industry's eco-responsibility
The home building industry can combat the potential effects of global climate change by providing additional training to its members and by encouraging home owners to alter some of their habits - and make energy-efficient improvements to their homes, the panelists said.

Federal energy officials estimate that Americans consume about 21 percent of the energy produced each year to operate and maintain their homes: for heating, cooling and electrical appliances, from stoves and refrigerators to televisions, computers and hair dryers.

"By just making thoughtful choices, we can reduce that impact," said Ray Tonjes, chair of the NAHB Green Building Subcommittee and a green home builder in Austin, Texas. Tonjes believes that energy efficiency is absolutely key, to the nation's continued security and to the country's economy.

Retrofitting older homes
Mike Hodgson, president of the California energy consulting company ConSol, revealed the results of a study conducted for the California Homebuilding Foundation last fall. Seventy percent of the greenhouse gas emissions related to single-family envelope energy consumption can be attributed to homes built before 1983, the study found.

Further, the study demonstrated that pending $10,000 retrofitting a 1960s home could save 8.5 tons of carbon, a cost of $588 to $1,176 per ton depending on tax credits and incentives. On the other hand, increasing the energy efficiency of a new home 35 percent over current state requirements would cost about $5,000 and would reduce emissions by 1.1 tons at a cost of $4,545 per ton.

Hodgson says that retrofitting existing homes with energy-efficient features is four to eight times more carbon- and cost-efficient than adding further energy-efficiency requirements to new housing.

Remodeler Devon Hartman of HartmanBaldwin, a Claremont, Calif design/build firm, said his customers are heeding the call. By adding insulation and sealing and tightening the duct system in one recent large home renovation project, Hartman was able to replace four older heating and air conditioning units totaling 16 tons to a new 6-ton system.

"We're no longer talking about just putting on sweaters or lowering the thermostat. We're talking about creating energy through efficiency measures," he said during the press conference.

As more people turn to retrofitting and remodeling, demand increases for so-called green jobs, skilled employees to either manufacture or install components in the energy-efficient homes of the future. Buying a green home or retrofitting your exiting property to be more energy-efficient ought to be more than just a passing trend. In a world were energy is not infinite, finding ways to converse and reduce our carbon footprint will improve the quality of our lives today and the lives of a future generation.

Want to learn more about creating an energy-efficient home? Check out HomeFinder.com's Green Home Guide.