Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

July 24, 2008 11:23:39 PM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Green Homes Gain Heat in Cool Housing Market

Posted Mar 9, 08 7:55 PM CDT in Business,  Arts & Living,  US 

(Newser) – Eco-friendly homebuilders are faring well despite the plunging US housing market, Newsweek reports. With home sales at a 15-year low, a national survey showed that buyers last year were ready to spend an extra $8,964 on a home that cuts utility bills. "It's taken almost as a fait accompli that green building is where the market is headed," a pro-green advocate said.

Green upgrades like improved insulation and safer paints don't bust the budget, either. A $40,000 photovoltaic solar system may be pricey—twice the cost of a usual heating and cooling system—but one homebuyer says it can pay for itself in 6 years. "People know it's good for their pocketbook, they know it's good for the environment, and they like the badge,” one builder says.

Source Newsweek

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Green Housing: From Good Idea to Good Business

    Jul 15, 08 11:56 AM CDT
    Green Housing: From Good Idea to Good Business With US homes on average twice as large as they were 50 years ago—and, of course, dwarfing those in all other developed countries—rethinking our idea of "home" is as crucial to cutting global warming as switching to a smaller car, says architect Edward Mazria in Fast Company. Half of all greenhouse gas emissions are building-related; residential buildings make up 21% of national energy consumption—almost as much as transportation. More »

Michael Mobbs, a consultant on eco-friendly housing developments and office projects, stands outside his three bedroom self-sufficient house in Sydney Monday, May 28, 2007. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)   (Associated Press)
A growing sample of organic insulation is shown at RPI in Troy, N.Y., May 17, 2007. Two recently-graduated students created a patented "Greensulate" formula, an organic, fire-retardant board made of...   (Associated Press)
Mark Vargas shows the solar panels on his home in Santa Clara, Calif., Friday, Feb. 15, 2008.   (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
The home of former Vice President Al Gore is shown in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007. After renovations were done that ranged from solar panels to insulation, the house has earned the U.S....   (Associated Press)
A solar powered fan is seen on the roof of the home of former Vice President Al Gore in Nashville, Tenn., in a Thursday, June 7, 2007 file photo. (AP Photo/Paul Levy, file)   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (1 of 3)

Tags

environment  • housing market  • carbon footprint  • green building  • green home  • bills


Loading...

Loading...

Today's Most Popular


Other US Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »