GREEN HOME
sustainability: exploiting natural resources while preserving ecological balance
Evidence of a growing trend toward green building design and sustainable living is springing up all over Nashville and the mid-state area. Several new commercial, institutional, and multi-family developments are incorporating elements of eco construction, new homes are being constructed with sustainability principals, and even individual homeowners are making changes to their existing houses to ensure a more environmentally-conscious lifestyle. Living greener isn’t just healthy for our planet; it’s good for our families and the communities they inhabit. If that’s not convincing enough, green homes save money!
Most in the real estate profession agree, "If you're not thinking green now, you will eventually." The Morris Companies is thinking green. We help buyers make smart decisions when choosing a healthy and environmentally friendly home that only green building professionals and Eco-Brokers® can provide. And, we guide sellers in marketing the green aspects of their property.
WHY GREEN?
Better For Our Earth
Of course, the obvious benefit of "going green" is the positive impact on our earth and the environment. It’s no secret our natural resources are being depleted at an unsustainable rate and it seems like anything we do these days is likely to leave a "carbon footprint." Green buildings are helping to relieve the demand on the ecosystem by utilizing renewable resources, recycled materials, energy-conserving appliances and green roofs.
Nashvillians are thinking green by incorporating environmentally-friendly features such as bamboo floors (made from sustainable supplies), low-toxicity paint (less harmful to the atmosphere) and recycled building materials (sometimes salvaged from razed local structures). These types of changes all add up, doing their part to reverse pollution and mitigate the destruction of the earth’s resources.
Save Money
The use of energy-conserving structural elements and appliances is good for the environment, as well as the bank account. Residents who live in green buildings and eco homes save on utility bills (sometimes more than 50%) and are often eligible for tax breaks or other government-backed incentives.
Because environmentally-friendly design is not the mainstream, the initial expense of building green or integrating green aspects into an existing house is perceived to be significantly higher than the standard construction cost. But the actual added cost is approximately one to ten percent of construction cost, depending on the level of green certification. In time those preliminary expenditures will pay for themselves, and then some. The long-term savings in gas, electricity and water bills are substantial, not to mention, you’re helping out our Earth while doing so.
Statistics
According to the National Association of Home Builders…
- Buyers would pay an average of $6,000 more for a new home to save $1,000 / year on energy costs
- 91% prefer energy-efficient home with lower bills versus 2-3% cheaper home w/o energy-efficient features
- 50 % choosing green features earned less than $75,000 / year
- 30 % earned under $50,000
- Seattle, WA
- Green certified homes sell for 8.5% more per square foot than comparable non-green ones
- Green homes sell 22% faster than non-certified homes
- Portland, OR
- Green-certified homes sold for 12% more than non-certified homes from May 2008 through April 2009
- Atlanta, GA
- Green certified homes sell closer to list price in less time than non-certified homes
- In 2009, average green certified home sold in 80 days LESS than non-certified average
- Portland, OR
- Portland, OR
GREEN HOMES
(provide links to green homes for sale in middle TN)
GREEN COMMERCIAL
(provide links to green commercial and multi-family units for sale/lease in middle TN)
IT'S EASY BEING GREEN
http://greenliving.lifetips.com/
Healthy Home
Home energy conservation can save as much as forty percent a year on electric bill costs. Having a home that is energy efficient is healthy for the environment. If you are considering building a new home choose a home that is sun tempered super insulated. If you already own your home or are planning to buy an older home there are still ways you can practice home energy conservation. Since almost thirty-eight percent of a homes energy usage goes to heating, install some solar heat panels, or if that is not a possibility turn your thermostat down to sixty-five degrees. If that seems a bit cold to you then bundle up in blankets, wear sweaters or a house robe (just like Mom told you!) When you leave the house turn the thermostat back to fifty degrees. If you are on a set schedule it might be a good idea to purchase an automatic thermostat that will do this for you. Close off rooms that are not in use and be sure to close shades and curtains as soon as the sun begins to set. Clean or replace heating and air conditioning filters every other week. When winterizing your home be sure to caulk all leaks around windows or doors, seal holes where electrical wire, plumbing or duct work enter the house and replace old drafty windows with new ones. Teach children to turn lights or other electronic gadgets off when they leave a room and to take the time to make sure the water faucets are turned off when they finish with them. Home energy conservation should be everyone’s responsibility.
Energy usage on the rise making it more important than ever to find ways to save energy. Even if you have installed alternative energy options such as solar power or wind power it is still important to watch your energy usage so your purchase can be cost effective. Finding ways to save energy can be as simple as replacing all of the light bulbs in your home or office with newer energy efficient light bulbs. When you wash clothes, choose cold water, because over ninety percent of the energy a washer uses goes into heating the water. During warm, sunny weather hang your clothes out on a clothesline. Not only will you save money by not running a dryer and eliminate a source of indoor heat, but you will find that the sun whitens and brightens clothes as well as saves on wear and tear. After all, dryer lint is produced by the process of your garments wearing out. Turning your computer off when it is not in use can save money and greenhouse gas emissions. The simple act of turning lights, television sets, computers and other electronic devices off when they are not in use is one of the easiest ways to save energy. Using fans, opening windows and lowering blinds is an easy way to lower your energy usage in the warm months. You can use several fans for a fraction of the amount of energy that one air conditioner uses. If you do use an air conditioner, take the time to maintenance it. Simple steps such as keeping leaves and debris away from the exterior condenser, keeping the condenser coils clean and replacing or cleaning the filter every other week can significantly reduce an air conditioner’s energy usage.
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/
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