There is a big question looming in the world of real estate as to what exactly green home is. At times, this term green building can conjure up images of tree- huggers and other misconceptions that take emphasis away from what being Green truly is. To find a Green Home in Houston, one must look at several construction methods that new homes in Houston must have to be considered Green. To give a quick introduction to Green Homes in Houston, it takes into account energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor air quality and sustainability.

Energy efficiency in Green homes can be achieved in many ways. Whether it is Low E double paned windows, state of the art insulation systems, compact fluorescent bulbs, tankless water heaters or more, there are many ways to reduce your electric bill in your new home in Houston.

The next step, water conservation is almost a no brainer with the current plumbing codes. Almost all faucets now come with low flow components and toilets now must restrict the amount of water used in each flush. They even have dual flush toilets that adjust the amount of water depending on what is being flushed. Other water conservation items include rain sensors on sprinkler systems, rain water recovery systems and more

The next area, indoor air quality is very important as most consumers do not realize the danger of the products used in building their homes or the furnishings and other items they bring in that contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) that off gas harmful vapors into their homes. Items include insulation, particle/pressboard, paints, stains, carpets and more. A Green home should contain as few of these as possible and the person buying the new home should not counteract the positive construction methods by bringing in formaldehyde laced furniture or other harmful products. Aside from avoiding VOC’s altogether, ventilation is a key component in eliminating them from your home.

The last area, sustainability of Green new homes in Houston has to do with the life of the products used, the impact on the environment and the long term benefits of a green home. This often is very lengthy subject to discuss.

An increasing number of new programs and certifications have been created and a number of builders are taking advantage of these programs so that they may hold themselves to a higher level.  Most of these programs incorporate energy efficient equipment, renewable products, and inspections that allow the builder to tailor their processes to that specific program.  The end result to these programs is to build the most efficient, sustainable product possible using the given budget for that project.

For more information on buying a Green home in Houston, please contact Paul Silverman, a Realtor who is a Certified Green Professional, member of the National Association of Realtors Green Resource Council and former new home sales counselor who sold green built homes in Sugar Land.