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Benefits of Green Homes
 
There are both direct economic and indirect economic benefits to building and living in a Green home. By reading the descriptions of these benefits, you will understand how important Green homes can be -- for residents' pocketbooks and their health, as well as the earth's health!

Direct Economic Benefits of Green Homes for Affordable Housing Residents
 
While making improvements in homes will involve up-front costs, energy efficiency improvements can save residents 10-20% of on-going utility expenses. New homes that are designed and built with energy efficient and resource efficient guidelines can save 30-60% of energy compared to conventional homes. When Green design principles are included in the planning phases of construction or renovation, residents can expect decreased utility and repair costs over the life of their home.

Indirect Economic Benefits of Green Homes for Affordable Housing Residents
 
Occupants of Green homes can expect to see:
  • Improved family health because of healthier indoor environments through use of low VOC materials and adequate ventilation;
  • Increased personal and familial comfort levels due to tighter house construction;
  • Reduced pollution of the their immediate environment due to environmentally sound building and landscaping practices; and
  • Decreased landfill waste because of household recycling practices.
Your community will be more sustainable because you have:
  • helped maintain air and water quality through resource sensitive design and construction;
  • used local or regional building products and services,
  • decreased landfill waste because of construction waste management that recycles or reuses materials; and
  • contributed to the national economic and energy security by using less fossil-fuel based energy.

Next page: Elements of Green Design   

 
  
 
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