Single-family builders are beefing up their use of green products and services. On average, single-family builders report using 10.2 green products or practices per new house they construct.
What’s more, 22 percent of builders say they always or almost always have their homes certified to a green standard, according to a new survey of 337 single-family builders conducted by the National Association of Home Builders. Every builder who responded to the survey reported using at least one green product or practice.
The most commonly used green product used by builders is energy-efficient windows, which 95 percent of the surveyed builders reported using. Ninety-two percent of builders reported using high efficiency HVAC systems, and 88 percent said they incorporate programmable thermostats.
The survey also found that builders who always or almost always report having their homes certified to a green standard—such as Energy Star, LEED, or programs run by state or local jurisdictions—use, on average, 11.9 green products or practices. Builders who never or rarely have their homes certified still report using 9.1 green products in a new-home build.
“This suggests that the homes of many more builders might be able to qualify for a green certification,” the National Association of Home Builders notes on its Eye on Housing blog.
Source: “The Average Builder Uses 10 Different Green Products and Practices,” National Association of Home Builders’ Eye on Housing blog (March 13, 2017)
