Green vs. Energy Efficient… Surprising find in Charlotte, NC

While Julie LaTerra Homes was promoting a recent open house, we included information on the green and energy-efficient aspects of the home in our flyers and emails. We expected people would be very interested in the green "angle," but we ended up being very surprised! Everyone was interested in the features that made the Julie LaTerra Home less expensive to operate than their current house.

The current economy has definitely changed a lot of things, especially people's priorities. Right now the number one priority is protecting your wallet, I know mine definitely is! Protecting the environment and using expensive green products is secondary for most. In times like this, energy-efficient products seem like a great way to bridge the gap between cost savings and being mindful of the environment. These products are easy to incorporate into your custom home or into updating your current house.

There was a great article on Forbes.com (http://www.forbes.com/2008/04/04/improvement-home-upgrade-forbeslife-cx_mw_0404realestate.html) about the top ten recession-proof trends that will not only increase the value of your home, but will make it more energy-efficient as well. Here are the highlights and my thoughts…

1. Cork Flooring – Great alternative to pricier tile and wood (and looks more exotic than vinyl!)
   
   
2. Bamboo Countertops – Significantly harder and more dense than other woods (and is a renewable resource!)
   
   
3. LED Lighting – Use less energy than standard bulbs, which translates into lower electric bills (and there's no mercury to worry about!)
   
   
4. Garage Doors – Can boost your home's curb value (and lower your "ewww" factor when you pull in the driveway!) 
   
   
5. EnergyStar Windows – You pay a little more, but you become eligible for a tax rebate (and your energy bill will be lower!)
   
   
6. Water-Saving Toilets – Use about half the water of conventional toilets (sorry, wittiness escapes me!)
   
   
7. Water Heater – Heats water on demand and is more energy-efficient (and no more hot to icy showers!) 
   
   
8. Radiant Heating – US Department of Energy estimates that radiant heat is 20% more efficient than conventional systems (and it keeps your footsies nice & toasty!)
   
   
9. Landscaping – The first thing that a buyer sees is the outside of your house (and you see it all the time, is that reason enough!)
   
   
10. Doorless Showers – Popular new trend for baby boomers and upscale apartments (and they are easier to clean!)