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...
Hanford Hills two-story with lots of extras and NO HOA! 3 Bedroom, 2.5 bath, with huge bonus that doubles as 4th bedroom! Spacious .24 acre lot with fully fenced backyard...
Come see your new home! Beautifully upgraded with spacious granite kitchen, 1st floor master, and plenty of entertaining space. Enjoy low electricity bills with this sola...
Elegant two-story modern townhome in beautiful Brier Creek. The first-floor study welcomes you just inside the front door and gives you a quiet place to work with lots of...
Brand new, energy-efficient home available by Jun 2023! Send the kids up to play in the Brentwood's spacious loft while entertaining downstairs in the open kitchen. Linen...
PRESALE OPPORTUNITY! Build a Constant Calibration A. Multiple lots to choose from. Price can change depending on what options are selected. The Constant Calibration has 4...
Gorgeous, better than new home in Wendell Falls! This ranch style home offers upgrades galore! The landscaping is National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat ...
What more needs to be said-The floor plan is called -The How Wonderful. Open floor plan that brings in so much light in the main rooms of the home. The dining room off th...
Experience the best of both worlds in this beautiful green home located in the highly sought-after Sunset Ridge community. As a resident, you'll have exclusive access to ...
Up to $30,000 in incentives on this home with use of preferred lender and closing in Q3 2023. Ready Summer 2023: this Contemporary Glenmark is a Green Certified home in C...
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...
This floor plan is called The How Wonderful which describes it beautifully! Open floor plan that brings in so much light in the main rooms of the home. The high ceilings ...
Modern Farmhouse on the Rocky River. This quiet cul-de-sac lot in Henleys Mill overlooks a gorgeous bend in the river with 160 feet of river frontage. The proposed cons...
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 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...
This stunning property offers a spacious and luxurious living experience with its impressive features and upgrades. Boasting 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, it spans an expansi...
Poised amidst 10 private acres w over 5,300 sf of living space, this 4 bedroom, 3 bath quality-built home delivers 2 offices, lg game/rec room, large studio w 12’ ceiling...
Welcome to your Dream Home! This stunning 6 bedroom, 6.5 bath home boasts luxurious features and eco-friendly amenities that will take your breath away. The gorgeous fa...
Living Reimagined with Revolution Homes! Pre-sale opportunity nestled in the heart of Hi-Mount. Quiet, charming ITB living with restaurants, entertainment, and shopping...
Sweeping 11+acres estate backing to ~100 acres of UNC forest. Leafy enclave of 8 homes 5-min from downtown Carrboro. Commune with nature in warm modern architecture desig...
One-of-a-kind estate situated on 20.44 beautiful acres! Attention HORSE LOVERS! 10 Stall Horse Barn Shed & Riding Ring! Spend time relaxing by the Salt Water Pool with Po...
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 Ch...
Luxurious estate home on 2.59 acres in the private, gated community of Linville. Magnificent finishes abound in this Southern Traditional home, custom built and overflow...
Nearly 13,000 SF of custom luxury in Cary’s exclusive Renaissance @ Regency Estates. Created by a dream team of esteemed architect, builder, interior designer & craftspeo...
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 .