Making News

(October 2008)

Regulation and Innovation Couple to Spark Strides toward Sustainability in the Home and Building Industry

By Lyndsey Forster and Shannon Benton

 

The landscape of America is changing, and surprisingly, this shift has occurred for reasons other than the political election and the ongoing economic downturn. Major modifications in our nation’s building codes have altered the way homes, multi-family residences and communities are being specified, designed and constructed. This is a national paradigm shift that supports sustainable building practices; a move that is imperative to quality of life.  GreenPlumbers USA recently reported that our nation’s economy and the well-being of the environment depend in large part upon energy and water resources used in our homes and commercial buildings. The financial experts agree, with The Financial Times stating that the building of sustainable homes will yield excellent financial gains for those homeowners who take the leap,.

“Although it’s still a small part of the overall market, green homebuilding has risen 50 percent since 2004”, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).  Continued substantial increases in this building category can be expected as energy costs soar and our water sources become increasingly depleted. McGraw-Hill Construction, a research leader in the industry investigated and determined that this sector of the housing market can expect to see ample growth – doubling by 2012 – and be worth an estimated $40 - $70 billion. At least this is some good news for those in the housing industry who play their environmental cards right.

This growth can be attributed to the new-era households being built with state enforced eco-friendly codes and laws that merit actions for water conservation, reduction of residential green house gas emissions and use of recycled materials. The most noteworthy state leading the mission for ‘greener building’ practices is not surprisingly California.  In July 2008, California passed the strongest progressive legislation on green building in the United States, according to Greenbiz.com. Voluntary until 2010, the new codes which affect all new construction statewide, call for significant increases in energy efficiency and water conservation. These new stringent guidelines were created to eliminate construction and building material waste.

The regulations also dictate that builders lower potable water consumption and incorporate grey water systems in new construction. Additionally, on-site renewable energy sources such as solar, wind or geothermal systems must increasingly account for at least one percent or 1kW, whichever is greater, of electric use.

An article in Contractor magazine that addresses the new California green building code, states that indoor water consumption will need to be reduced by at least 20 percent in the coming years. This is just the start of vast policy changes worldwide which will require conservation where it was only “suggested” in the past with water identified as the most valuable and perishable resource.

Nationwide, building codes are also beginning to move towards the use of high efficiency toilets and low-flow faucets and showerheads; the new standard in home construction and remodeling. It is forecasted that starting next year water heaters will have to meet a new efficiency criterion to raise the current 62 percent energy efficiency level to 80 percent or higher.

In drought stricken areas the imperative to enforce conservation regulations is reaching to the very local levels of government. Several counties in the state of Georgia now require all homes on the market to have low flow toilets installed prior to closing a sale. The Atlanta-Journal-Constitution newspaper recently reported that residents in DeKalb County who desire to purchase an older home must install these high efficiency toilets prior to taking occupancy. Homeowners failing to comply will not be able to obtain water services.This strict order was passed late last year after the greater metro Atlanta area came very near to a complete depletion of potable water. While other counties in Georgia have not implemented such drastic mandates, in many towns, the local government is offering tax rebates upwards of $100 per water conserving toilet installed.

So what does this mean for the home products and building industry?

The general public, the building and development community, manufacturers, and marketers will learn to adapt to a new, conservation-focused lifestyle by regulation if not by choice. Codes are only going to get more stringent and manufacturers that have anticipated this movement are already working on the next generation of products in advance of the rules of engagement being set. Those that have not tooled up to be on the cusp will be left behind. And it’s not just products; more importantly, it’s getting on board with learning about the natural forces and consumption that is driving legislative action.

Consumers, while still somewhat daunted by the idea that “green” products and services cost more are receptive to understanding that this is actually not as true as it was in the past and they are ripe to learn about and to buy ecologically-sound products. Interest is very high in part out of absolute necessity to meet codes but also out of a resonating perceived duty in the minds of the public to be better guardians of the world at large. This will impact all of us personally and in our work arenas and as is the case in most things, those that are open to change will get the greatest level of satisfaction.

Check out Steve’s blog at www.kleber-marketing.com. For the latest news on “green” and how it is affecting the housing market.

 

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