A new study is showing how green homes make for greener pockets on the real estate market.
The study, carried out by researchers at UCLA and Berkeley, tracked the sale of over 1.6 million Californian homes sold between 2007 and the earlier part of this year. When all other variables were held constant, homes with a green-certification had a 9 percent jump in selling values when compared to their non-certified counterparts, reported the Washington Post. Read the full Post article here.
Going green has immediate pragmatic purposes; energy smart appliances significantly reduce utility bill cost. Now, according to this study, having an energy smart home won’t just save you money, it will also earn you money. Green homes are an investment in the future asking price of a home. Houses with a green certification sold for an average of $34,000 more than similar homes without the green certification. The environmental implications of having green appliances are priceless. By reducing energy consumption in home, less pollution is made and more energy is conserved.
Green certified homes have approval ratings from the Build it Green and U.S. Green Building Council, two private non-profit organizations. Green homes also receive high Energy Star ratings, a rating system created by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
DHCD has had a long standing commitment to building a greener community. DHCD’s Be SMART program, funded by the Better Buildings Program created by the U.S. Department of Energy, aims to provide increased comfort, safety, and affordability to buildings all over Maryland through energy efficiency improvements. Be SMART Business, Be SMART Home, and Be SMART Multifamily provide financing to purchase Energy Star qualified HVAC systems, isolation, windows, fixtures, and appliances. DHCD works to promote an energy smart work and living environment for all Maryland citizens. The new Be SMART home rebate programs offer up to $4,250 in incentives to homeowners who want to go green. The funds provided by the program help offset the cost of qualified energy efficiency products.
To learn more about Be SMART Rebate, other Be SMART programs, and how to create a more energy efficient working and living space, click here.
- By Tito Aderemi-Ibitola
