American homes today are more or less satisfactory. They’re more energy efficient than home two decades ago. They meet building codes for safety. They have the modern conveniences we’ve come to expect. But is satisfactory good enough?
Consider these statistics. The air inside our homes can be two to five times more polluted than the air outside, no matter whether we live in an industrial rural region. Homes account for more than 20 percent of all U.S. energy consumption. Building a 2,000 square foot home results in more than 25,000 pounds of construction waste.
Today we have a choice. We can keep creating
homes that require vast amounts of energy to heat and cool, homes that are built with trees cut from ancient forests, homes that may be filled with materials harmful to our health. Or we can create better homes that are healthier to live in, easier on the environment, more valuable over the long term, and more delightful to come home to.
Here are just some of the direct benifits of good green homes:
More Comfortable. A good green home is a more comfortable home. Its carefully built and well insulated so it doesn't overheat in the summer or fell chilly in the winter. Daylight, croos ventilation, and other low-tech measures
help keep spaces naturally and comfortable in tune with our bodies and the outdoors. Efficient lighting, heating, and cooling systems kick in when simpler solutions can't do the job on their own.
Healthier. A good green home has fewer building products and furnishings made from materials that might undermine our health. Good ventilation, provided either by natural or mechanical means, help keep the air fresh. Daylight brightens the rooms, provided an uplifting atmosphere.
Greater Value. A good green home gives you more for your money. Good green homes are built to last, with quality design and construction
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