Green homes are gaining popularity in the greater Triangle area, but what is a green home exactly? Homeowners are looking for ways to make their homes more environmentally friendly; a green makeover can happen gradually or all at once!
Environmentally-conscious home buyers are seeking the benefits of purchasing a green home. Bottom line? Green homes seek to reduce the impact on our natural environment by using fewer resources, more eco-friendly materials, and reducing waste.
Green homes have sustainable systems with many environmental, economic, and social benefits, such as reducing emissions, conserving water, reducing operating costs, and improving health.
You might also hear green homes called high-performance, eco-friendly, green energy-efficient homes. Multiple factors contribute to a home being “green.” There are certifications granted by housing or environmental groups, but these are not required for a home to be considered green.
The good news is that in the Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill area there are more and more energy-efficient homes being built to satisfy growing demand.
There are very real benefits to living in a green home! Green homes are durable, needing less maintenance work because of their higher-quality building materials and construction processes. They are also healthier and more cost-effective than traditional homes.
Building a green home uses less energy than a conventional home, and using recycled and reused materials to reduce waste is encouraged. Green homes are also built to be more durable than conventional homes, resulting in less waste over time. Green homes use less energy and water than traditional homes.
Air quality in a green home is superior to other homes. Safer products - those that emit fewer chemicals than are often used in conventional homes - are used in the construction of green homes. Green homes utilize natural and mechanical ventilation to bring fresh air in, filter it, and then vent stale air outside. The better indoor air quality will keep you breathing easily!
Green homes are built for energy efficiency, which minimizes your utility bills. Homeowners can choose Energy Star-rated appliances to help to decrease a home’s water and energy usage. Added bonus? Energy companies often give rate discounts to Energy Star-rated houses.
In addition to these savings, various incentives, such as rebates, tax credits, and savings programs, are available to green homeowners.
Your home does not need to have all these certifications to be considered “green” or for you to gain the benefits of having a green home. The certifications offer standardization of green building principles for areas of site design, energy and water efficiency, and environmental factors like indoor air. This is helpful for potential homeowners looking to purchase a green home as well as for resale.
The National Green Building Standard (NGBS) certification is one of the best-known green building standards in the United States. A home that is NGBS certified has been inspected by an independent third party. There are four certification levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Emerald. Homes with NGBS certification feature high performance in six areas: site design, resource, water, and energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and building operation and maintenance.
Energy Star-certified homes are designed to save up to 30% in energy efficiency savings compared to typical new homes; they must meet requirements set by the Environmental Protection Agency. Energy Star-certified homes feature:
The EcoSelect program was developed by Southern Energy Management, a North Carolina-based sustainable energy company. Designed as an alternative to more stringent green certifications, the EcoSelect program allows more flexibility than other green certifications. It minimizes administrative work while offering third-party verification to ensure consumer confidence. Certified EcoSelect homes have energy-efficient lighting, programmable thermostats, high-efficiency HVAC, reduced water usage, and advanced air sealing.
Homes that comply with the High Efficiency Residential Option (HERO) building code are 30% more energy efficient than homes built to North Carolina’s current code. There are rebates available in this program for builders as well as home buyers who buy a house built to this code.
The HERS Index provides a standard measure of home efficiency, rating homes against a “Standard New Home” that meets current industry standards. The Index ranges from 0 to 150, with 0 being the most energy efficient.
Think of the HERS Index like an MPG sticker on a new car. The MPG tells you how many miles/gallon you can expect from your vehicle, while the HERS Index gives you an idea of your energy costs in your new home.
Here’s what you need to know about a home’s HERS Index:
Now that you know the answer to “what is a green home,” browse our listings below to find your green home. Enjoy all the benefits of a green home - health, economic (via lower energy and maintenance costs), and reducing environmental waste.
If you have any questions on green homes in the Raleigh, Durham Chapel Hill area, please contact us today!
Welcome to Northern Alamance County. This quiet home is situated on right at 18 acres with a peaceful surrounding. This home has a split floor plan with two living spaces...
Step into this charming and delightful residence that effortlessly blends modern updates with an enchanting ambiance. This cute 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home is a true gem, ...
BETTER THAN NEW! This one story home in popular Autumn Lakes offers 22 solar panels that were installed in 2022 offering a remarkably low summer electric bill of only $17...
Welcome to your dream home in Durham! This charming property offers everything you could wish for in an updated, comfortable, and eco-friendly residence. With 3 beds and ...
The villas at Haywood Glen are excited to introduce you to the 2-story Spencer plan. This home, with a 2-car attached rear-load garage, provides a lot on the first floor....
Our Roshambo Collection takes us back to a time when all scores could be settled with a game of Rock - Paper - Scissors. This Paper plan covers Rock proving sometimes a m...
Looking for that perfectly located subdivision with no HOA? You found it. This home offers 4 bedrooms and a loft with a cute little nook. The 3rd floor can be your 4th...
Welcome home to this cozy east Raleigh home- the perfect place to create memories for years to come! Situated on the 18th hole of the Hedingham Golf Course, this 4 bedroo...
Welcome home to this cozy east Raleigh home- the perfect place to create memories for years to come! Situated on the 18th hole of the Hedingham Golf Course, this 4 bedroo...
Named for the five peaks in Breckenridge, CO. Find peace in the effortless flow of this floor plan. This home welcomes you with sky-high ceilings and an open living space...
The right side of the paired villa is named for a camp owned by the family of one of our Rock Stars! Appropriately named for its lake and expansive foliage. Take a breath...
The right side of the paired villa is named for a camp owned by the family of one of our Rock Stars! Appropriately named for its lake and expansive foliage. Take a breath...
Welcome to your MOVE-IN READY home! Within a few minutes of downtown Raleigh and historical parks, nestled in a quiet cul-de-sac, this cozy home greets you with a bonus ...
STUNNING, CUSTOM, FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND NOMAD HOUSE Owner is selling this incredibly special furnished single-family home, as the startup built this house as an experimental...
New carpet & interior paint coming soon! Enjoy easy living in this popular 55+ community with amazing amenities, social events and activities! ONE LEVEL DETACHED with NO ...
Welcome to your dream home, nestled close to both nature and convenience! This stunning home boasts 5 spacious bedrooms, with a convenient downstairs bedroom and full bat...
This single-family home is located in Chatham Park, an innovative master-planned community on the leading edge of what it means to live life in a balance of recreation, n...
For sale by the original owners and located on 3 acres, this quality, hand-built homeplace has been meticulously maintained and offers the perfect balance of functionalit...
Please come sit on this dreamy front porch! You may never want to leave...complete paradise on all sides! Sellers spent endless hours out there with windchimes & birds s...
This Contemporary Glenmark is a Green Certified home in Chatham Park is by locally-owned Homes By Dickerson. A striking exterior leading to a 4 bedroom home offers a firs...
Limited time $15,000 Use As You Choose incentive available on this home with use of preferred lender and closing attorney! Home to close 2023. Welcome to your dream hom...
"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." — Anne Frank. This plan thrives to improve your world! It's the only hom...
We've made big plans! Plans to keep you and your guests safe and comfortable. Drop everything in the mudroom on your way in and wash your hands in the powder room. Guests...
Preservation & panache. 1881 Italianate Nicholas Corbett Hester House saved from dereliction & delightfully restored with solar power & sensibility to the environment. 18...
Location, location, and location! Lots of details in this spacious and gorgeous home in the most sought-after AMBERLY Village Square neighborhood. Beautiful oak hardwood ...
Construction has begun in Array! Build one story home in Array, NC’s first net-zero energy neighborhood. This and all of the homes will be very energy efficient and have ...
Construction has begun in Array! Build one story home in Array, NC’s first net-zero energy neighborhood. This and all of the homes will be very energy efficient and have ...
Beautiful 5 bed, 4.5 bath home in Southern Village on Glade St. Lots of natural light and outdoor spaces to entertain and play, steps to SV swim and tennis club. This ho...
Luxury, custom built townhome in the heart of Raleigh. 4 bed, 4.5 bath home w/ 1st floor owner's suite. Open, bright floorplan w/ 10' ceilings on 1st floor, heavy trim th...
Construction has begun in Array! Build this 1.5 story modernist home or remove the second story for a smaller one-level home (2370 sq ft). Array is NC’s first net-zero ...
Construction has begun in Array! Build this modernist home or any design you want in Array, NC’s first net-zero energy neighborhood. This home and all of the homes in Arr...
Construction has begun in Array! Build this modernist home or any design you want in Array, NC’s first net-zero energy neighborhood. This home and all of the homes in Arr...
Truly an oasis between Durham and Chapel Hill. Custom built home has open floorplan with washed oak floors, spectacular ceiling vaults and gorgeous views of neighboring p...
Still time to make selections and customize to make your own. Just a short stroll away from parks, schools, dining spots, and shopping destinations! Sought-after main f...
DO NOT LOOK AT THIS HOUSE if you want to live on a boring street away from the Energy & Activities of Midtown!! If you love a fun lifestyle and luxury living, here you g...
High impact. Low imprint. Meet Tower - one of Raleigh’s first of net-zero-energy (NZE) home collections. Tower’s Matsumoto award-winning design, featured by The Wall Stre...
High impact. Low imprint. Meet Tower - one of Raleigh’s first of net-zero-energy (NZE) home collections. Tower’s Matsumoto award-winning design, featured by The Wall Stre...
Occasionally an opportunity comes along unlike anything else on the market. This luxurious family estate sits on 5 acres in a premier location-- minutes from downtown Cha...
First-of-its-kind, luxury, gated community in North Raleigh secluded on 15 wooded acres featuring contemporary design, turn-key, fully furnished interior, spec homes. All...
Situated amidst serene landscapes & a private lake, this 10-acre haven offers tranquility just minutes from Downtown Cary, featuring dining, shopping, entertainment, & ea...
Listings provided courtesy of Triangle MLS, Inc. of NC, Internet Data Exchange Database. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. © 2023 Triangle MLS, Inc. of North Carolina. Data last updated .