Green Building Barrels Into the Mainstream Market

received from Ed Mainland-- emainland@comcast.net
http://www.nbnnews.com/NBN/issues/2006-03-20/Front+Page/index.html
(Clipped from Flex Your Power newsletter <eNewswire@fypower.org>
http://www.fypower.org/
Wednesday, April 5, 2006
note the resources (websites) at bottom of article.
SNIP:
"According to the survey results, the leading reason that builders
are considering green is that “It’s the right thing to do,”
Bernstein said, an indication of the industry’s strong links to the community.
Of those polled, 92% identified this factor as a very or somewhat
important influence behind the decision to go green.
Other prominent influences include: lowering lifecycle costs, such as energy
efficiencies and productivity increases, 87%; staying ahead of the
competition, 82%; expanding business with customers who are
interested in green building, 82%; and limiting exposure to liability
on such issues as water leaks and mold, 78%."
(end SNIP)
Start article:
"After several years of slow but steady growth across the country, the
green home building movement — which applies innovative and
environmentally sensitive construction techniques and products to
reduce energy and water consumption and improve residential comfort
and safety — is barreling into the mainstream, according to a survey
of NAHB members in late January and early February by the association
and McGraw Hill Construction.
"Preliminary results released during NAHB’s Green Building Conference
in Albuquerque, N.M. on March 12-14 showed that there was a 20%
increase in 2005 among those in the home building community who are
focusing their attention on green building issues and that their
ranks are expected to increase by another 30% this year.
“'Green home building is at a tipping point among the builder
population,' said Harvey Bernstein, vice president of Industry
Analytics and Alliances for McGraw-Hill Construction. 'The data
indicates 2006 to 2007 is the time frame from which the builder
population moves from a majority less involved to more involved with
green building.'
"Ray Tonjes, chairman of the NAHB Green Building Subcommittee, noted
that the study opens new ground and new business opportunities for
NAHB members. 'NAHB has been in the vanguard of the voluntary
movement to increase the efficiency and quality of the American
home,' he said. 'This study suggests a viable path for the home
building community to educate the public about green building and
deliver a product that responds to the needs of the buyer as never
before.'
"Bernstein predicted that green building will boost its market share
from $7.4 billion and 2% of housing starts last year to $19-$38
billion and 5%-10% of residential construction activity in 2010.
'Within 10 years, everybody’s going to be building green,' he said.
'According to the survey results, the leading reason that builders are
considering green is that “It’s the right thing to do,” ' Bernstein
said, an indication of the industry’s strong links to the community.
Of those polled, 92% identified this factor as a very or somewhat
important influence behind the decision to go green.
"Other prominent influences include: lowering lifecycle costs, such as energy
efficiencies and productivity increases, 87%; staying ahead of the
competition, 82%; expanding business with customers who are
interested in green building, 82%; and limiting exposure to liability
on such issues as water leaks and mold, 78%.
"The leading factors triggering building firms to expand their green
home building activities were identified in the survey as: increases
in energy costs and utility rebates, 88%; consumer demand, 88%;
superior performance, 87%; codes, ordinances and regulations, 86%;
and competitive advantage, 83%.
"Starting costs and the unwillingness of consumers to pay additional
costs for a green home were identified as the leading obstacles to
firms becoming involved in green home building, rated as important by
82% and 79% of those surveyed, respectively.
"Also important were: uneducated consumers, 79%; codes, ordinances
and regulations, 72%; and a lack of awareness among consumers of
green products, 70%. Only 39% said that the perception of green building
as a fad and not something here to stay was a significant obstacle.
"Asked to indicate the importance of specific green home building
options, NAHB members participating in the survey identified
high-efficiency HVAC equipment as the top item, with 92% responding
that it was important.
"That was followed by low E-glass windows, 89%; HVAC for indoor air quality, 90%;
more energy-efficient appliances, 88%; reduced air infiltration, 86%;
hi-performance engineered wood products, 84%; above-code energy programs, 82%;
the minimization of site disruption, 82%; water-saving utilities such as dish and clothes
washers, 75%; storm water mitigation, 74%; formaldehyde-free finishes, 73%;
and water-conserving fixtures and faucets, 73%.
"Other highlights from the survey findings:
* Upgrading to green building increased the total cost of a
project by an average 10.6%. However, for builders active in green
building, the perceived cost increase was an average 8.7%, compared
to an average of 11.1% for those not involved.
* Green building certification programs have yet to take hold
in the residential market; only 3% of respondents said they were
certified and 80% said they were not. Nevertheless, 80% of builders
starting 10 homes a year or less and 71% of those starting more said
they would be interested in participating in voluntary green home
building certification.
* Ninety-five percent said they were using green friendly
building materials; 80% reported using OSB rather than plywood; 79%
said they were using engineered wood such as Tgi and glulam as an
alternative to dimensional lumber; and 54% said they were reducing
their construction waste.
* Eighty-nine percent responded that they were doing
something to preserve natural open space; 67% said they were
minimizing disruption to existing vegetation; and 64% said they were
preserving natural water drainage ways.
* Eighty-eight percent said they were taking steps to reduce
air filtration in their homes; 77% were using high-efficiency HVAC
equipment to achieve this; and 58% said they were using overhangs.
* Unlike commercial builders, home builders were able to
readily name leading brands of green products in various categories:
80% were able to name a brand in the house wrap category, where Tyvek
was most frequently named (66%); 76% knew an insulation brand, 29%
naming Owens-Corning; 75% were able to name a door and window brand,
15% citing Andersen and 11% Pella; 70% named an HVAC brand, 17% Trane
and 12% Carrier; and 67% knew a wood framing brand, 13% Trus joist,
9% TJI and 8% Boise Cascade.
"Bernstein said that his staff was busy compiling the survey data
right up to the Green Building Conference, and a final report should
be available in roughly the next couple of months."
"The following are green building resources from McGraw Hill:
* www.GreenSmartMarket.construction.com
* www.GreenSource.construction.com
* www.Products.construction.com
"For information about the "NAHB Model Green Home Building
Guidelines," click here.
"For more information about other NAHB resouces on green building,
call Calli Schmidt--call her at 800-368-5242 x8132."