Push to build "green" homes picks up steam

[jpak]

http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSN0147473220071101

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Soaring energy costs and increased concern about the environment are spurring builders to step up building homes that use less energy and water.

More than 30 affordable homes being built this week during a Habitat for Humanity project in Los Angeles include materials designed to reduce energy costs and save the new homeowners money.

"Green building certainly is becoming more mainstream within the affordable housing community," said Ted Bardacke, senior program associate with Global Green USA, an environmental group that works with housing developers.

Homes being constructed during the weeklong Habitat project, an annual event hosted by former President Jimmy Carter to build homes for lower-income families, include solar panels on the roof that generate energy, double-pane windows and energy-saving lights and ceiling fans.

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[tinrobot]

1. The greenest home...

...is the one you don't build.

As important as it is to build new homes with sustainable technology, we also need to build fewer new homes, use less land, and retrofit existing homes to be more sustainable and energy efficient.