The Advantages of Building Green

The U.S. Green Building Council recently issued a press release detailing the top 10 states that have been making strides in sustainable development and design. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, is the most widely used green building certification program in the world, and the USGBC report was based on the states with the most LEED-certified square footage per resident.

Looking back at 2015, LEED momentum continues to grow on the West coast. The state of California made #7 on the list, with a total number of 618 LEED-certified projects and over 87 million square feet. Below are the best reasons to buy and sell green homes:

Adds Value: A 2012 UCLA study found that green-certified homes sell for an average of 9% more than similar but less efficient homes in the area.

Saves Money: Depending on the level of LEED certification, your home could see energy reductions for up to 30-60%. While the typical household spends about $2,150 per year on residential energy bills, LEED projects could cut your energy bill by 20%, saving you between $200-$400 annually.

Everybody’s Doing It: By 2019, the number of remodelers using green-certified products for 60% or more of their projects is expected to double. The most popular green building features are currently high performance windows, high-efficiency HVAC systems, programmable thermostats, Energy Star appliances, and moisture-control products.

Not as Expensive as You Might Think: Green homes can be built for the same or less money than it takes to build a non-green-certified home. Plus, 60% of consumers ranked green and energy efficient amenities as a top requirement for their dream homes.

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