Westchester's EcoBroker

“Green” building, renovation and even demolition have taken hold. The concepts of sustainability, energy efficiency and eco-friendly are no longer esoteric lifestyles but rather smart and innovative ways for homeowners to create safe, healthy and comfortable homes. Many families have begun implementing systems to increase indoor air quality, improve heating and cooling and save hundreds of dollars in utility bills. While we can attribute this surge in eco-friendly living to growing concerns about the state of our planet or even American’s collective consciousness deciding it’s time to protect our Earth the truth is, a lot of people are subscribing to Green because it saves money and makes life comfortable. Many builders are now working with Green products because they see the value these homes offer. A home that offers lower utility bills translates to a higher listing price, mortgage flexibility and comfort. The trend goes beyond single family homes to multi-family homes, condominium/cooperative/rental buildings and even many offices. Westchester County does show signs of “Green” but it seems to be functioning in its nascent stage. Still new to our residents many people are resistant to consider retrofitting their home or building a new home using Green techniques. The hesitation is understandable as we are always inundated with national news of eco-friendly living but rarely are we presented with local examples. There are a limited amount of local resources and many people don’t know where to find them. Additionally, many of the homes that are featured in magazines are luxury properties that have performed complete system overhauls. Ask most Westchester residents about living eco-friendly and their first reaction is concern for exorbitant renovation bills. It’s important to remember that even if you’re not ready to change your home’s mechanicals you can still make small changes that help add value to your home. Energy Star appliances, Low VOC paints, CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Light bulb) or an Energy Star Programmable Thermostat are all affordable changes. The changes you make now will increase your home’s value later but more importantly, will add value to your home’s enjoyment now.