Green is the New (Affordable) Luxury Item

Today, it’s not just about your home. It’s about being your home being green. Green construction is making a big splash and architects and builders are joining in. 

What’s new on the green home front? 

Alternative energy sources, such as passive solar heating, along with things like photovoltaic solar panels that provide electricity for off the grid homes. Wall insulation that’s made from alternative materials such as cellulose, cotton or rock wool instead of the insulation made with formaldehyde are big innovations.

Double paned windows are becoming standard, low E glass that deflects the heat out during the summer and reflects heat back into the room during winter are also gaining in popularity. Heated floors, pellet stoves that heat with an alternative source to the usual forced air systems are making big news in the home building market as well. Maximum efficiency of heating and cooling units is an issue that builders are concerned with and high energy efficient ratings are paramount, being used to augment solar energy instead of being the only source of heating and cooling these days. Today, it’s keen (and affordable) to be green!