It's everywhere you look right now - "Live Green".  Well, we're here to tell you why building green can not only lower your effect on the environment and minimize your carbon footprint, but how it can save you money in the long run and lead to healthier living.  At the foundation of the Green Craze that is occurring worldwide is the basic thought of efficiency.  By making your home more efficient, your front-end costs may be higher, but in the long run you are making your money back in utility bills over the course of a few years of living in your home.  By using products like tank-less water heaters, cellulose based insulation systems, and more efficient window and door frames a utility bill can be reduced dramatically.  Building green doesn't necessarily mean going as drastic as using photovoltaic cells and wind power to help take some of the stresses off external power sources, although these products can be used if maintained correctly.

High-end solar panels (photovoltaic) and wind power systems can be much more costly and difficult to maintain for the amount of power they retain from the sun and wind. However, smaller systems such as yard lighting and sprinkler systems can be aided by the addition of smaller solar cells that help provide secondary sources of power to these systems.  As the higher-end solar panels become more efficient, and technological advances continue to surpass current standards, these systems will be much more reasonable for the average home and larger sources of power to help make homebuilding and living expenses "Greener" and more efficient.

The best thing YOU can do when building you new home is to discuss new, efficient types of insulation techniques and water recycling systems to help reduce your carbon footprint, create a healthier, "Greener" home, and save yourself money on a long-term scale.  For more questions on building green, contact a Cortiers Luxury Realty agent today!