Green Building Practices Reduce Utility Costs and Entice Buyers

The term “Green”, once thought of as a fad, has now transcended almost every sector of business, namely real estate and construction.  Whether it’s green building or LEED certified structures, you noticed the growing influence environmental consciousness is having on the industry, particularly in terms of heating and cooling. 

Long-term costs for utilities are reduced when structures are designed to be highly efficient in terms of heating and cooling. Building in relation to the natural heat of the sun has considerable effects on energy costs.

For instance, a house built in a desert climate such as Arizona would benefit from smaller windows with longer awnings that deter sunlight from entering the house at peak hours. Reducing the natural heat entering a home consequently requires less cooling, reducing energy costs incurred by excessive air conditioning. On the other end of the spectrum, larger windows with shorter awnings can harness the warmth from the sun to reduce heating costs in colder climates.  

In relation to the sun, solar panels are becoming a growing trend in regions with vast amounts of sunlight.  According to solarhome.org, the sun showers the earth with more energy in one day than the planet uses every year.  Granted, solar panels still have many hurdles to overcome before they become a familiar fixture in homes, but as technology and society progresses, people will want something of equal value that solar panels can provide.

Buyers are showing a preference for green buildings and houses not only because they make for excellent investments, but also because the federal government is encouraging them to buy such structures. This is being done through tax credits given for energy efficiency, including a 30 percent tax credit for solar energy systems.

With more potential clients eager to do real estate transactions that involve green structures, it pays for realtors to learn more about the benefits of such properties.

Learn more about technologies that promote office's going green.

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