Majority of builders see green home trend growing

The green trend is continuing in the construction industry
and indoor air quality is becoming more important.

More than 80% of builders surveyed in a new report say that construction now is greener than just two years ago and that energy-efficient features are more prevalent in new homes.

The goal to save money on utility bills may drive a lot of those energy-efficient choices, as does the need to differentiate a home from the competition.

Green homes also gained popularity because they are seen as being higher quality (and therefore higher value) and providing better indoor air quality.

Speaking of indoor air quality - it is growing in importance and focus for home builders. 60% of home builders believe that efforts to improve indoor air quality make homes greener than they were two years ago, and 95% of high volume home builders report including features that impact air quality.

Green homes made up a 17% share in the construction market in 2011, which amounts to $17 billion, but the report estimates that this market share will increase to between 29% and 38% by the year 2016.

A growing number of projects are also seeking green certification, the report says, and higher first costs for building green are noted by a much lower percentage of builders as an obstacle now than they were reported in 2008.

The SmartMarket report was released by McGraw-Hill Construction and surveyed members of the National Association of Home Builders.

Source: USA Today, NAHB

Taking care of indoor air quality

When the energy-saving wave first hit the construction and renovation market, it was driven by a desire to save on heating costs and utility bills.

However, the ensuing airtight houses gave rise to a new risk to public health – indoor air pollution, which was named as one of the top 5 risks to public health by health authorities like the EPA.

Electrocorp offers portable
air cleaners like the RAP series.

So it’s good to hear that indoor air quality has been growing in importance in the building industry.

Electrocorp has been a long-time promoter of good indoor air quality and offers air cleaners for commercial and industrial applications that can remove the widest range of indoor air pollutants.

Electrocorp’s air cleaners contain a multistage filtration system with activated carbon + HEPA + optional UV germicidal filtration.

Together, these filters can remove airborne chemicals, gases, odors, particles, dust, bacteria, viruses, mold and other contaminants.

Whether it’s during construction or renovation work, remediation projects or for air cleaning after the work is done in single-family dwellings or larger settings, Electrocorp can provide the right air cleaners, the most effective air filters and the most customizable options.

Contact Electrocorp for more information.