Green-built homes are transforming the residential market and people’s lives everywhere – a fact that is especially true in the Asheville area.

Green homes are built to be healthier and safer by providing cleaner indoor air. They use less energy and water, leading to monthly savings on utilities. This all means the average upfront costs of building green are quickly recouped, as a homeowner will save money for the duration of the home’s lifespan.

Additionally, green-home owners in Asheville and around the country experience increased market value, heralding a higher resale value when the time comes. They also enjoy state and federal tax credits for their home’s renewable energy use and energy-efficiency.

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A GREEN HOME

The green-built movement in Asheville has the added bonus of support from the Green Built NC Program, a voluntary, statewide green-building program encompassing all aspects of environmental design and construction including:

• Healthy Site/Landscape: erosion control and preservation of existing trees
• Water Efficiency: use of high-efficiency irrigation and plumbing fixtures to reduce water bills
• Building Envelope: use of high-efficiency windows and insulation to reduce energy bills
• Heating/Cooling Systems: use of high-efficiency equipment and sealed air ducts to increase comfort
• Appliances/Lighting: use of Energy Star appliances and lighting to reduce utility bills
• Healthy Indoor Air Quality: use of non-toxic finishes and methods to minimize moisture
• Materials: use of durable local and recycled content materials for minimal maintenance

 

Tools for Finding a Green Home in Asheville

Green homes are a specialization of Mosaic Realty. So much so that we designed our website with quick search features to locate all green homes on the market in Asheville.  Additionally, we have a quick search for JAG Construction homes, a leader of green built homes in the Asheville area.

Tools for Assessing the Energy Usage of a Home in Asheville

A great service available to Asheville homeowners, or those in the market for an Asheville home, is Green Gauge , an innovative home assessment tool to help residents across North Carolina save money, reduce energy usage and live in homes that are healthier for themselves and the environment. Created by the WNC Green Building Council, this program is the first of its kind in the state.

Green Gauge uses a variety of criteria such as energy and water usage, building material sustainability, indoor air quality, site walkability, and landscape ecology in order to determine the green rating of a home. This rating is a perfect tool for buyers looking to compare homes for energy and water efficiency, and can help them understand the true price of home ownership.

The energy efficiency portion of a Green Gauge Assessment is completed using the U.S. Department of Energy's Home Energy Score (HES). HES uses a systematic approach to provide a reliable, scientifically based analysis of a home’s energy characteristics and overall energy efficiency, which is rated on a scale of 1-10. As of this writing, more 42,000 HES assessments have been completed so far across the country, according to the WNC Green Building Council.

For those interested in green-home ownership, aligning with a real estate agent well-versed in the green-built market is key. Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty’s agents can guide you through the intricacies and supply you with all of the information you need to go green.

To learn more about green homes in the Asheville area, please contact Mike Figura at Mike@MyMosaicRealty.com  or call him anytime at (828) 337-8190.