Americans Want Green Homes!

It seems that the recent inflationary setbacks of the past months have caused many of us to rethink our life-styles. Home buyers are now placing energy efficiency high on their list of wants.

This means that small improvements to your home that can be listed as 'green' will be a selling plus in this new environment. Switching to 'green' is supported by a recent survey published by Move.com and echoes findings from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

The poll conducted by Move.com was focused on which type of 'extras' prospective home buyers would choose in a new home. Not surprisingly in view of the escalating cost of living that we have been experiencing lately, over 49% of them opted for energy saving amenities. Only 31% of potential buyers rated luxury amenities as top of their list.

A poll where prospective home-owners would choose 'green living' over luxury goods reveals the struggle that many Americans have faced, in fact 81% of participants admit to financial set-backs in their house buying plans. Most obstacles are quoted as revolving around the economy, the house prices and their own incomes, according to the survey.

A previous survey conducted by the NAHB confirms that Americans want to pay less for their energy; 64% of participants cited "reduced energy costs" to be the most important aspect of choosing to go green, whereas only 55% would choose it "because it is healthier".

Everything is pointing to the fact that Americans want to save energy - and money. Can this be done without investing a lot of cash in new products? The answer is yes, there are life style choices we can make, that we used to make, but which have dropped by the way side of consumerism. There are also small investments we can make in our homes to give it 'green' appeal.

For green lifestyle choices, we can think back to our Grandma's day. Start now by growing your own organic winter vegetables and invest in two fruit trees which will emanate oxygen into the environment. All vegetable and fruit peelings used to be ploughed back into Grandma's garden in the form of compost; saves on buying chemicals to nurture your vegetables. Read about how to compost on line.

Here is a simple one that saves gas: keep a shopping list! It will save endless trips to the 'corner shop' if you stop forgetting groceries! If you can encourage the family to walk or bike more, your health will benefit as much as the environment.

Solar heating panels would be great, but remember your windows are a variation of this. Keep drapes and blinds open when the sun shines on the window to let the warmth radiate through the glass; at night time close them to keep warmth in, up to one third of home heat can be saved by closing drapes. Turn your heat down by two degrees when you go to bed.

Another small saving will be gained if you turn off the heating and close the doors in the rooms that you do not use. Try to remind the children to turn down their heat dials before they leave for school. It only takes a minute for the rooms to warm up again.

Heating takes a large chunk of our money during the winter months; have you thought of installing a wood stove with an outside chimney (the easiest to install)? The new stoves that leave almost no residual wood and are almost 'smokeless' are part of a grant scheme offered by some governments.

A wood stove will offer a choice of heating in your home, and so this will increase the value of it. Stack your cord(s) of wood against an outside wall to help increase the insulation of your home. Double glazing is a sure way to save on energy bills, but it can be expensive. However, weather-stripping around the windows and doors can keep a lot of cold air from coming in.

Meanwhile, as winter and the heavy heating bills creep closer, remember Grandma and stock up on clothes in thermal and woolen fabrics!