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!
This charming 3 bedroom ranch on a large lot with no HOA, located just minutes away from downtown Fuquay is truly a rare find. Enter into the family room w/ a cathedral ...
Beautiful lakefront cottage is better than new! The largest ranch plan in the neighborhood & one of the biggest lots. Abuts Lake Michael/Town of Mebane land! High efficie...
This home offers many improvements and updates in a prime location. NEW since 2020: Roof, kitchen improvements, interior painting, Heating, AC (2 systems 2016 & 2018), Ge...
The Scissors floor plan is a remarkable living experience. The first floor open concept is like no other home that you will see. The kitchen stays central in the home f...
Scissors flips the script on Paper, with the family room behind the front porch for seamless indoor-outdoor living. The kitchen stays central for optimal entertaining. Th...
Fabulous 3 bedroom Ranch in desirable North Raleigh location close to shopping and dining. Easy commute to RTP using nearby HWY 540. This home has been lovingly maintain...
Freshly updated with new Granite Counter Tops, Lighting and Paint throughout! Oversize Garage with usable space for storage above. New Water Heater 2023! Recessed light...
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...
Coming soon, beautiful 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom home in Hanover Pointe. Outside, the covered front porch gets plenty of shade throughout the day and has a nice view of the f...
ASK ABOUT $15,000 Builder Incentive! Light, Bright, and Open! Ready Summer 2023 this Contemporary Millington Green Certified home in Chatham Park is by locally-owned Home...
The Secret is out! This well maintained ranch style home, in desirable Lakepark, has a finished basement and several unique features that you won't want to miss. Wood bu...
The Constant Calibration was created in hopes of bringing steadiness to your home. All the benefits of a bright, airy, open floor plan with 4 bedrooms (one on the main le...
ASK ABOUT $15,000 BUILDER INCENTIVE! Ready Summer 2023 this Contemporary Glenmark is a Green Certified home in Chatham Park is by locally-owned Homes By Dickerson. A stri...
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. Gourmet kitchen with ov...
The award winning No Little Plans floor plan is available to call your own. This floor plan as won numerous awards for its outstanding floor plan design. First Floor Gu...
The award winning No Little Plans floor plan is available to call your own. This floor plan as won numerous awards for its outstanding floor plan design. Guest suite wi...
$15,00 Use as you Choose incentive! Can be used for rate buy downs, additional upgrades, refrigerators, and so much more! Ready Late Spring 2023 This Magnolia II by loca...
RARE FIND! Seasonal RIVER VIEWS from this stunningly remodeled & spacious industrial loft. 3 exceptionally large bedrooms each with a large closet & private full bath - p...
Beautiful!! Must see spacious open floor plan 4 Bdrm/3.5 bath home located in the Blaney Farms Subdivision just moments from Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve and Historic Y...
ASK ABOUT $15,000 BUILDER INCENTIVE! Ready in Spring of 2023! The Burlington II offers a first floor study, open concept kitchen and Family space leading out to a screen ...
Build this one-level modernist home or the home of your dreams in Array, NC’s first net-zero energy neighborhood. This and all of the homes will be built to the National ...
This home has one remarkable and unusual feature that will STRONGLY appeal to buyers. It adds hugely to the home's value. I'll show you this "special" attribute and why ...
Build this stunning modernist home designed by local Carrboro architects Jose Noya and Mike Dickerson-Mills with Notch in Array, NC’s first net-zero energy neighborhood. ...
Build this stunning modernist home designed by local Carrboro architects Jose Noya and Mike Dickson-Mills with Notch in Array, NC’s first net-zero energy neighborhood. Th...
4698 Total Sq Ft - Main House 3858 Sq Ft - Detached 3 car garage w/Carriage House Apartment 840 Sq Ft, kitchen, Murphy bed & full ba. Gorgeous Southern Living Idea Home! ...
WOW! Low utility bills-Solar panels. Just a few years new! Beautiful, open flr plan w/attention to detail & finishes thru-out. Hardwds grace the entire home except for b...
Poised amidst 10 private acres and 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’ cei...
AIA Design Award Winner/3 Awards! Designed by in situ studio .Built in 2018. Modern design featuring highest finish standards. Elevator & 2 car garage for easy living. Ch...
Living Reimagined with Revolution Homes! Pre-sale opportunity nestled in the heart of Hi-Mount. Quiet, charming ITB living with restaurants, entertainment, and shopping...
RETREAT! Sleek Phil Szostak-designed single-level CONTEMPORARY MODERN MASTERPIECE on 11 private acres just mins from DT Hillsborough * INSULATING CONCRETE FORM (ICF) cons...
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...
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 .