What do you think of this hacienda-style home?
To read more about this home please visit architecturaldigest.com.
  1. Economic/financial reasons
  2. People want to live simpler lives, partly because of the struggling economy
  3. Parents have become empty nesters and no longer need the extra space
  4. Increasing desire for energy efficiency
  1. A product model is defined generically based on existing products on the market.
  2. The design team considers what might be improved in the generic model.
  3. Suggested improvements are validated based on technical and economic factors and user attractiveness.
  4. Environmental performance and ecological indicators are assessed.
  5. Design results and experiments are interpreted as a hierarchy and assessed.
  • Gravel – Gravel has been a staple product for landscapers for many years, and it’s expected to make a big comeback this year. Crushed stone is suggested over pea gravel, as pea gravel is a nonrenewable resource.
  • Pavers – Pavers made of local stone enhance the look of the native plants in your landscape, plus it’s better for the environment than a stone imported from far away.
  • Decomposed Granite – Decomposed granite is very much like sand and is a slight shade of pink, which Elle Décor suggests would be a great accent for outdoor dining rooms.

Figuring out Energy-Efficient Mortgages and Making Room for Green Building Budget No Matter How Big or Small.

Energy Efficient Mortgages

  • It allows homeowners to include the total cost of improvements into the total mortgage amount.
  • The value of home will go up due to the energy-efficient upgrade
  • Home owners will also get tax-deductible interest on mortgage payments
  • Home owners will also benefit from lower heating and cooling cost. According to Georgia power, home’s heating and cooling requirements account for more than 50% of the average monthly energy bill.

Tax Credits for Energy-Efficient Upgrades

Three Categories of Green Building/Remodeling Cost

  • First, figure out where you stand. Check out the free Green Home Scoring Tool provided by NAHB which provide rates for residential green building projects. Consider the frame of the build. Consider using panels or trusses which are both energy and labor efficient. Prefabricated houses are becoming more popular and have the added bonus of thermal efficiency over stick frame.
  • “Another simple method for cutting costs is to develop a cut list — a set of cutting instructions and guidelines for your field crew that ensures the material you purchased for a particular application is used for the intended purpose,” says Desiderio.
  • Optimizing duct works, placing HVAC systems within the confines of the home, creating smaller living space, designing efficient plumbing system and quality assurance are all key factors of building a great and budget friendly green home or building.