Green Building – Should You Believe the Hype?   by Nicole.Nelson

Going green might be the catchphrase of the decade. The idea has permeated society in every aspect, and while most people like the idea of being more green, not as many are willing to take on green initiatives unless it stands to benefit them financially. One area that is particularly hot right now are green building practices. 
Green buildings, like many other green energy drives, conserves energy by making your home more energy and water efficient. This enables you to do more with less output. By using less energy and resources, green buildings are better for the earth with fewer pollutants, carbon emissions and energy usage. They are also a way to feel good about yourself by making a difference for the next generation. However, one of the biggest and most convincing ways that green energy can make a difference is on your pocketbook.
Green buildings offer savings that consumers can see every month when it is time to pay bills. However, are they still worth it? Edward Lui, a homeowner and real estate agent in Georgetown, Texas decided to make the comparison himself. A year ago, Lui moved to a green home five houses down from his previous home. Most of the aspects of the two homes were similar; same family, climate and time period, one variant was that the green construction home was two stories with 800 square feet of extra space in comparison to his old home.
In every category, the green home saved Lui money on a monthly basis. When comparing the gas used for stove, furnace and water heater, Lui ended up saving $162 per year. That is even with the two water heaters, 1.5 more bathrooms and 800 extra square feet in his new house. On the new water-efficient home, Lui installed low-flow toilets and shower heads, a 53 gallon rain collection barrel, drought-tolerant landscaping and more efficient appliances.  The changes netted a small difference of $16 per year less, but still a win for green building.
Lui’s green home ended up using 20% less electricity by using compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), a more efficient refrigerator, a front loading washer and dryer, and an efficient HVAC unit. Another huge advantage of the green home was the spray foam insulation which keeps the hot air out and the cool air in during the summer. The home’s exterior is a white Austin limestone, which reflects heat more effectively than the red brick on the old home. Finally, in order to minimize direct sunlight shining into the home, windows are higher in the house and the roofline is extended to protect the home from direct sunlight. As a result Lui saves $114 per year on electricity.
In total, Lui is now saving almost $300 a year on his utilities despite the fact that his home is 40 percent larger. While that might not sound like much savings, at a utility cost of 73 cents per square foot per year, to retrofit his old house, Lui would be saving $875 per year. If you are going to invest $10,000 to achieve a savings of $875/year, you might want to make sure you live in the home long enough to reap the financial benefits.
If you’re considering a purchase of a green home or doing energy efficient upgrades in Georgetown, Texas, Lui can be a good source. He has analyzed the pros and cons of the process and can even consult you on Georgetown, Texas real estate with the expertise of a realtor. His web site http://www.GeorgetownCustomHomes.com delivers up-to-date information on Georgetown Texas homes for sale and surrounding communities. Edward Lui is a real estate agent who will give you a customized home buyer experience – He will be your full-time advocate and liaison between builders, contractors and lenders to find the perfect home unique to your needs.

About the Author

Brian Reed. Georgetown Texas homes – For information on Georgetown Texas homes and communities, visit GeorgetownCustomHomes.com.

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