The basic assumption is that green building must cost more and thereby eliminate the opportunity for cherished extras. To consumers, words like green building, resource-efficient construction and sustainable design are builder terms. Home buyers speak their own language, and understand and embrace green building only when it is explained in their terms. To buyers, energy efficiency means something. Improved indoor air quality means something.
Water conservation means something.
Saving old growth forests means something. That all these things together mean a new home that offers more value and a more comfortable living environment is the ultimate definition of green building. The data gathered in the following pages is the first the benchmark study of green building in the residential construction industry. It defines where our industry is today as well as the green building opportunities and obstacles before us. That as an industry we must seek new ways to preserve and develop land and construct homes while conserving resources is critical.