Having a “green” home is about much more than being environmentally friendly. What it really means is that you’re operating an energy-efficient, cost-effective home – and green building has never been more popular than it is today.
If you were building a custom home in Middle Tennessee, what kind of green options would you spring for?
Popular Green Building Improvements
Many of the homes we build are incredibly energy-efficient. Our buyers ask for a wide range of green upgrades, including:
- High-efficiency windows. Many of our new homebuyers request high-efficiency windows that help improve energy efficiency. There are even UV-blocking windows on the market today.
- High-efficiency heating and cooling. Heating and cooling accounts for approximately half of all energy bills, which means the more efficient your units are, the better off you’ll be. Many people choose ENERGY STAR appliances when they’re taking the green building route.
- Programmable thermostats. Programmable thermostats are nothing new, but they’re certainly enjoying a surge in popularity. They allow you to control the temperature when you’re not home (who wants to heat an empty house?) without forcing you to remember each time you walk out the door.
- Low-flow toilets and fixtures. Low-flow toilets have always been incredibly water-efficient, but new low-flow fixtures are really making a splash. Showerheads and faucets can be aerated, which keeps water pressure high while decreasing the amount of heated water that needs to be used.
- Tankless Water Heaters. Since tankless water heaters only heat the water when you need it, they are not wasting energy by keeping water hot all day until it is needed.
The Green Side of Going Green
We all know that energy efficiency means financial savings. But just how much will you save?
That all depends on which options you choose. High-efficiency kitchen appliances can save you thousands of watts of power every year, particularly if you spend a lot of time cooking, and coupling those with other green alternatives like heating and cooling components can translate into real cash savings every month.
What Would You Put in Your Custom Home?
We’d love to hear your ideas for your green custom home. Nationally, Hughes-Edwards Builders has been recognized for its efforts in green building. Bryan Edwards is aCERTIFIED GREEN PROFESSIONAL (CGP). HEB incorporates green building principles into home construction, without driving up the costs.
Call us at (615)824-6970 or fill out the form below so we can talk about your family’s needs.[gravityform id=”9″ name=”Contact Us”]
