Green home design is the wave of the future. Increasingly, people are paying attention to the environment and are seeking ways to minimize the impact everyday living creates. Major initiatives over the past three decades have raised support and demand for green homes. New home construction using green home design is expected to increase from 2% in 2005 to 10% in 2010.
Several key factors are integral to green homebuilding. A green home design typically incorporates conservation of energy, water and natural resources, use of renewable energy, waste reduction and a healthier environment. Products used in construction must be toxin-free and made from natural or recycled materials. Paints and sealants have low VOC (volatile organic compound) content, and wood and insulation products are often made from rapidly renewable sources, such as bamboo, soybeans and cotton. Windows and doors must have a high E factor rating and energy saving appliances and climate control systems must be installed. A green home design will use natural light to minimize the use of electricity and position trees and awnings, etc. to shield summer sun. Air quality is freshened and cleaned through use of both natural and mechanical filtering and venting. Many green home designs incorporate the use of renewable energy sources such as solar electric systems. Environmental consideration is given when selecting the site of the home, such as avoidance of fragile ecosystems like wetlands and the preservation of trees and plant growth or reclamation of existing structures or building sites.
Green home design has benefits that outweigh the cost of construction. The design and the natural materials lead to reduced internal pollution, and reduction or elimination of mold, mildew, carcinogens, and respiratory pollutants. Due to this pollutant free environment, occupants of green homes experience fewer respiratory and heart problems, allergies and cancer. The ecological-friendly products and resource conservation create fewer green house effects and pollutants, reducing the negative impact on the environment. The advantages of green home design include financial as well as health and environmental benefits since energy and water use is nearly cut in half. With knowledgeable contractors the construction costs are said to be about the same or less than conventional home construction. There are also initiatives to provide low cost green homes which will further improve cost containment to the benefit of all consumers.
As the technology improves, contractors gain experience, and probably most importantly, consumers gain increased awareness, we should expect to see an increased growth in the demand for green home design.

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by: hugatree
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