Buying a home is an investment, with an expectation for a long-term return. And with an energy efficient home, there is the hope of a shorter term return as well in the form of reduced heating and electricity bills. It’s no wonder that home buyers are favouring homes that feature tankless water heating, energy-efficient windows, low-flow plumbing, and other energy (and money) saving amenities.
According to USAToday’s Greenhouse blog, green homes sell at a better return, and faster here in the Pacific Northwest. I suspect that this is becoming true across the board as well, for reasons of energy savings as much as for the preservation of the environment.
I don’t think that this need to save money in a depressed economy necessarily diminishes what I feel to be a cultural shift. After all, economics and culture are strongly entwined. But a question I can think of is this: is simple economics enough?
I’ve learned a key point as I’ve journeyed along with this little blog of ours. Here it is. Green living and sustainability is a cultural force that’s becoming more and more mainstream.
As dire as the predictions of the future shown to us in recent times have been, this key point is a cornerstone upon which I think we can all build a more optimistic outlook, despite the continuing efforts that are needed to get our economies, and our natural environment, back on track.
Here’s another aspect of this cultural shift that Western society is making toward greener living, and green consciousness.
Should there also be more active and community driven aspect to all of this, that extends outside of our own returns on investments? Is there a necessary element of awareness, altruism, even activism, when it comes to green issues as reflected (or not) in our lifestyles, and on the parts of industry and government policy? If so, what actions on the part of individuals and communities will be the most effective, apart from how we choose to spend our money from household to household?
What are your thoughts, gentle readers? Write ‘em in the comments section below.
Cheers!
Rob.
About Rob Jones
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I have watched with great interest the ebb and flow societies dance with sustainable consumption. Building and construction is but one of the many aspects of a consumer driven economy and culture where changes are needed in order to be “Greener”. Many people fail to recognize just how much simple changes in design and construction practice as well as materials selection and consumption can have on the overall environmental impact of a new structure. Initiatives have been made to improve upon building efficiency, some with great success. But the economic imperative continues to rear its ugly head and buildings “dirty little secrets” continue to be swept under the rug.
Builders continue to favor the “cheap and easy” of readily available materials and known techniques over the “costly and unfamiliar” . Why? Are they just thoughtless jerks that could care less about the world that their children will inherit because building green is an inconvenience? Or is it simply that consumer demand for “responsible” construction is not quite strong enough to direct the market. I suspect the latter.
When was the last time you ever attended an house warming for a young couple and heard “Wow! I really like what you have done with the air quality in here!” Or “Boy you sure have tweaked out your environmental and power consumption controls here.” or my favorite…”your waste water management system is SWEET!”
Many consumers TALK about wanting to buy responsibly but i’d suspect that it is a unique market where consumers BEHAVE responsibly and forsake some of the outward glamor of exotic trim & finish for “good karma”.
So…”Should there also be more active and community driven aspect to all of this, that extends outside of our own returns on investments?” Yep. Good old fashion peer pressure. Until we begin to call each other on our consumer habits people will continue to buy bringing the same old consumer motivations to the equation.
“Nice carbon footprint—Jackass!” hearing that at a dinner party might make people think hard about their consumer choices.
-J
A thought-provoking response, John. Thanks very much.
For all of the strides that green building and alternative energy has made on a cultural scale, I think you’re right – this type of thing doesn’t come up at parties. Perhaps when ‘green’ becomes less about a sense of obligation, and more about status, then maybe it will.
I think there are certain inroads here. For instance, with bamboo flooring, we’ve seen a lot of interest in it not only as an alternative to hardwood flooring, but as something of a conversation piece, too. It should be said that when talking about green on a materials scale, it is a bit more of a grey area as to what is or is not green. There is a lot of ‘grey’ in there with the green in question.
But the point is that I think that there is potential for green elements to a property that are set to be seen as signs of status, much like any modern feature. But, you may be right – our cultural awareness isn’t quite there.
As a Realtor I have seen my fair share of ‘cheap and easy’ in many of the new developments. We tend to call them ‘Contractor Specials’…of course I’m talking about finishings! John is so right – no one really gets all that excited about stuff that’s going on behind the walls or under the stairs! It just ain’t sexy.
BUT look how far we’ve come! Wasn’t long ago that if you talked ‘green’ you were labeled a ‘Tree Hugger’ …nowadays flashing your money around is UNCOUTH! Green is the new hip thing! We do get excited when we see high efficiency water heaters and infloor heating or new windows etc. Of course primarily people love the money they’re saving – STILL, it feels good to say you’re contributing to a cause! We’re getting there!
Recent quote at work, “Want to buy some Karma, buy a Heat Pump”.
We all want, or feel we should use green options. But when green options cost more, sales are definitely slower, suggesting the public majority doesn’t want it THAT bad, yet.
When the cost of going green is close to the standard option, you can see the public jump on board. Rob’s response about bamboo sales taking off is a great example. Bamboo flooring is green, AND costs less than traditional hardwood floor. It also has better performance than hardwood in many installations. Plus, the “green” factor of bamboo is easily seen by the public. The heat pump situation is similar in Vancouver, and sales have definitely jumped in the last 5yrs.
Would love to hear suggest for sustainable, or energy efficient products, that save money over the traditional option.
Hi! I came across your blog and I found it really interesting. I believe in green living. And I entertain the idea of buying a green house in the future. I know it’s kind of costly but on the other side, I know I am doing the right thing because I’m helping to preserve Mother Earth.