Why Builders should Go Green?

Building green is no longer a choice, it’s a necessity. With the increasing awareness of the impact of human activities on the environment, building green has become a crucial aspect of sustainable development. Not only does it help reduce the carbon footprint of buildings, but it also provides numerous benefits to homeowners, builders, and the environment.

Here are some reasons why builders should consider building green now, including larger profit margins:

Increased Demand for Green Buildings. As sustainability gains awareness, the demand for green buildings is rising, with the market set to grow by 25% annually for the next five years, offering builders adopting green practices a chance to boost profits.
Lower Operating Costs. Green buildings are energy-efficient and cost-saving, offering homeowners up to 40% lower energy bills and 30% lower water bills, translating into increased profits for builders embracing green practices.
Improved Health and Well-being. Green buildings, with natural lighting, ventilation, and non-toxic materials, improve occupant well-being, potentially reducing healthcare costs and boosting productivity. The World Green Building Trends report shows that 76% of respondents believe green buildings enhance well-being, offering builders a competitive edge and attracting health-conscious buyers.
Enhanced Brand Reputation. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), building green enhances a builder’s brand reputation, differentiates them from competitors, and appeals to the 75% of homebuyers willing to pay more for sustainable homes.
Compliance with Regulations. Many governments provide incentives and tax credits for green builders, such as Energy Star rebates. Compliance lowers costs and boosts profit margins.
Increased Property Value. Green buildings retain value better, with features boosting property values by up to 9%, as per the Appraisal Institute. Adopting green practices increases property values, resulting in higher profits upon sale orrental.
Reduced Risk of Depreciation. Traditional buildings can depreciate quickly due to outdated materials and design. Green buildings, on the other hand, are designed to last longer and maintain their value over time. By building green, builders can reduce the risk of depreciation and increase the longevity of their properties.
Competitive Advantage. Building green sets builders apart and establishes a competitive edge. As per the National Association of Home Builders, 75% of homebuyers will pay more for sustainable homes. Offering green practices positions builders as sustainability leaders, drawing environmentally responsible buyers.

In conclusion, adopting a green business model offers builders numerous benefits, including increased demand, lower operating costs, improved health and well-being, enhanced brand reputation, regulatory compliance, increased property value, reduced depreciation risk, access to government incentives, improved customer loyalty, and a competitive edge. By incorporating green building practices into their business models, builders can not only contribute to a more sustainable future but alsoincrease their profit margins and establish themselves as leaders in the industry.

Start your journey as a Green Homes franchisee today and begin Building Green Homes Now!

Amplify your growth, reputation, and customer delight with a brand synonymous with luxury and sustainability. Contact us to join the forefront of eco-construction today!

December 1, 2023December 1, 2023

A HOUSE WITH NO BILLS – Energy-free Home Set for Sydney

We are thrilled to announce that our innovative Green Homes project in Perth has garnered significant recognition, with a prominent feature in The Daily Telegraph. This eco-friendly dwelling has not only captivated the attention of local audiences but has also earned the prestigious title of the first non American recipient of the National Association of Home Builders’ Global Home of the Year award, unveiled at a grand ceremony in Las Vegas.

This remarkable display home in Perth stands as a testament to the successful collaboration between Green Homes and the Western Australian Government. Together, they have created a living space that redefines the standards of energy efficiency and sustainability.

Key Features of Green Homes Australia’s Award-Winning Energy-Free Home:

Energy Efficiency Beyond Compare: Described by the CEO of Green Homes, Mr. Fabar, as the most energy-efficient freestanding house in the nation, this home stands as a beacon of innovation. The design prioritizes smart and free power saving solutions, including strategic orientation, optimal window placement, and a thoughtful selection of external colours.
Smart and Free Power Savings: Green Homes Australia has successfully integrated intelligent and cost-effective energy-saving measures into the very fabric of this dwelling. The strategic choices made in its design, such as orientation and window placement, contribute significantly to minimizing energy consumption without compromising on comfort.

Green Homes Australia has been at the forefront of designing energy-efficient homes since 2006, consistently achieving a remarkable 6 to 7-star energy rating for their projects. Their commitment to reimagining homes as not only energy-efficient but also sustainable and conducive to a healthy living environment is truly commendable.

Building on their success in Australia, Green Homes has extended its reach to New Zealand and the United States. This expansion reflects their dedication to global sustainability, showcasing their commitment to creating environmentally conscious homes that transcend geographical boundaries.

In conclusion, Green Homes Australia’s Energy-Free Home in Perth is a groundbreaking achievement in the realm of sustainable architecture. As we celebrate this milestone, we look forward to witnessing the positive impact this innovative approach to housing will have on future construction practices, inspiring a new era of energy-efficient and environmentally conscious living.

Want to learn how we build sustainable homes?

Before jumping on board find out just how we do it. Download our 100% free guide on just how we produce environmentally conscious dream homes across Australia. From plans to processes – enter below to find out more

Contact Us

April 18, 2020August 11, 2023

Rethinking Home Design for Healthier Homes

A Complete Approach

Design is the heart of a healthy home. In early stages of the building process, design must plan for and take into account style, safety, durability, and health, for both multi-family and single family homes. In the status quo, the design process that dominates is “disintegrated”—time is wasted, the trades do not align, productivity falters, and systems fail. And while these are inconvenient to both builders and architects, the occupants are the ones who ultimately suffer.

Putting the health and wellness of dwelling occupants, primarily indoor air quality, at the center of design is essential for a truly holistic approach. But it also requires looking beyond just one or two product categories to find a whole-home solution.

Integrated Design

Integrated design is impactful design. It’s all about breaking dow the fragmented processes and demonstrating the cohesiveness necessary to provide builders the best possible solution for their customers.

Joe Lstiburek, Ph.D., P.Eng., ASHRAE fellow, and principal,Building Science Corporation, emphasized at a recent Trane Building Science Forum “I don’t think it’s practical anymore to separate the building enclosure design from the mechanical design. They are interrelated, and therefore they must be designed simultaneously.” By taking this approach, there is a greater opportunity to design a more robust mechanical system that can lead to improved IAQ. This should include looking at things like ventilation, humidity management, air infiltration, energy efficiency, and right-sizing best practices.

Trane created the Tranquility innovative whole-home approach to building healthier homes, addressing the core needs of humans in the environment where they spend 70% of their time. The method of integrated design in the Tranquility approach helps builders create quieter, healthier, better performing homes. Working with product and building science experts, the solution provides a stronger value proposition than traditional design because it includes important participants at the start of the process and helps curate the elements needed to reach specific performance goals.

“Integrated design has provided us with more clarity and understanding of the interdependencies of building products,”says Matthew Orcutt, portfolio leader, Ducted Systems, Trane Residential HVAC & Supply. “Through our holistic approach centered in building science, we take a look at how our products connect with others such as windows, doors, insulation, and air barriers and air infiltration, and take the lead in coordinating with these manufacturers on behalf of the builder, to deliver a more cohesive, energy efficient, comfortable and sustainable solution,” Orcutt added.

A Foundation of Health

A recent Energy Pulse, Shelton Group study found consumers want quiet, efficient, and healthy homes: 72% of those surveyed believe their home has a moderate to strong impact on their health while 71% think an energy-efficient home is a healthy home.

Healthy homes can’t be an afterthought. Integrated design infuses wellness into every aspect of a home by engaging with experts and stakeholders during the early stages of the design process. This interaction and the investment made upfront in the form of reconfiguring the design process and utilizing premium, right-sized HVAC equipment, will result in reduced call backs and warranty claims, and differentiate builders of healthier homes.

By leveraging the best in building science and an innovative, whole-home approach, delivering peace of mind is attainable—for both you and your customers.

Originally published by BuilderOnline.com

February 21, 2020February 21, 2020

Aussies on the Move: Why are we moving out of our way?

Aussies on the Move

With affordability front and centre of so many home buying decisions, Stockland found that purchasers were willing to look much further than their own neighbourhood with 36 per cent of those surveyed considering a move interstate, and 44 per cent of NSW respondents prepared to cross borders for their dream home.

The main reasons buyers gave for the potential interstate move was; a better lifestyle (57 per cent), better job opportunities (42 per cent) and to buy the home they want for less (32 per cent).

“The way in which Australians want to live will continue to evolve in 2023 and beyond with many considering that interstate move now more than ever, and an increased demand for features that encourage personal connectivity to communities and improved health and wellbeing,” Ms Vavin said.

A clear buying conscience

It will be also a decade of more environmental reflection. Stockland’s feedback showed that sustainability features in the home will become “the norm” rather “add ons” as 54 per cent of the survey respondents said sustainable and environmental home features are now more important to them, than they were 10 years ago.

“The costs of many features such as LED lighting and solar panels are also much more affordable today and buyers now understand the long terms cost benefits of these features for future energy savings to them and the broader benefits to the environment,” Ms Vanin said.

Mr McGrath pointed out in his report that the downsized homes of the future will play into this environmental consciousness.

“The smaller home will meet people’s growing desire to cut their environmental footprint. Bigger homes wipe out the benefits of more energy efficient dwellings. Cutting the size of a house by five to 10 per cent makes it easier to move to zero net energy – a household with no ongoing energy costs,” he said.

Originally posted as “Affordable and simpler downsized houses is what modern homeowners in the future” on Realestate.com.au, February 19, 2023. Please see original Author’s Bio Below – Author Website

Featured Image Source: Modern Home Decor

February 20, 2020February 21, 2020

The Move to Minimalism: The Future is Smaller, Simpler & More Efficient

Flash back to the year 2000 and the theme of the Great Australian dream was “the bigger, the better”.

But two decades on, and Aussies have come to the collective conclusion that good things can come in small packages.

Property developers, real estate experts and social demographers agree that downsizing is the way of the future for house hunters down under.

Stockland recently released its 2023 property survey which showed that more than 60 per cent of respondents would forgo a traditional large backyard for a smaller home with less outdoor space, if it meant they felt more connected to neighbours and close to parks and community green spaces.

“With 24/7 technological connectivity and busy lives, people are increasingly looking for low-maintenance homes located within communities that offer great amenity, social connectivity and physical closeness with their neighbours and wider community,” said Stephanie Vanin, general manager of residential sales at Stockland.

Why size matters in our homes

The 2023 McGrath Report highlighted that a “move to minimalism” is resulting in smaller, simpler homes with streamlined open spaces that are easy to maintain and “provide a sanctuary-style escape from a hectic world”.

“Demographics are driving the move towards more affordable, minimalist homes. Two megatrends – the ageing population and the shrinking family, mean fewer people per Australian residence,” property expert John McGrath said.

“Increasingly time poor homeowners want more flexibility and lower maintenance properties to suit their busy lifestyles. Many people don’t have time to mow lawns or clean large residences anymore.”

According to data from the CommSec Economic Insights 2018 report, the size of Australian homes grew by 30 per cent in the 30 years to 2018, however the average size of our homes (houses and apartments combined equal 186.3sq m) is now the smallest it’s been in more than two decades.

What Australians want in property

Because of our modified mindset around our household foot print, our communities will also change shape. McCrindle Research reports that in Sydney and Melbourne two-thirds of all new housing approvals are for high and medium density properties, rather than the traditional detached homes of the past.

“This densification is creating walkable communities, multi-use areas where people live, work and play in a more localised space, and of course increased access to transit and transport hubs,” said social demographer Mark McCrindle in a recent Homes of the Future blog.

The Stockland study revealed that while the majority of their buyers would still prefer a freestanding home, there has been a “significant uplift” in townhouses and semis in recent years.

Stockland’s study also showed that as well as opting for smaller blocks this decade, homebuyers want more efficient, well-designed homes that make the most of the space.

“The actual home is still important, however, features that allow for more community living are shifting higher and higher on homeowners’ priority lists.

“That old sense of belonging and knowing your neighbours is more important than ever before,” Ms Vanin said.

Featured Image Source: Modern Home Decor

February 18, 2020February 20, 2020

Bushfire Proof. Is it Possible to Build Such a Home?

Australia has just re-surfaced from one of the most destructive and heart-wrenching bushfire seasons, with nearly 3,000 homes burnt and killed a devastating 34 people. Thankfully, due to the recent rains that is now causing flooding across parts of the country, all fires have been reported as extinguised, however the time of recovery and rebuilding has begun – and a massive question surrounds that.

“How do we prepare for next time?”

This question has been asked of politicians, scientists, community leaders and unsurprisingly, builders. In a recent panel interview on The Project, Grand Designs host and ‘sustainability advocate’ Kevin McCloud was asked, “… is it possible to design a house that is bushfire proof?”

McCloud described that although building materials may need to evolve over the next 20 years to become completely bushfire proof, there are some basic principles that can be utilised to maximise resilience against a potential fire situation.

“I think, it isn’t just about the house is it? It’s about the landscape, it’s about the setting, it’s about the community, it’s about people working together, resilience and that type of thing” – Kevin McCloud on The Project

Utilising the land around the home is such a pivotal part of the Green Homes Building Process, and along with the option of a Home Energy Report (H.E.R), our Design team works with 3rd parties to ensure your home works in with your block of land.

But will it be bushfire proof? The BAL – 40 standards ensures that your home is equipped – to the best of it’s ability – to withstand the raging bushfires. This includes steps such as non-combustible sarking, BAL-40 approved windows and fire-resistant framing.

If you’d like to learn more about how BAL-40 works in the rebuild of your home, or new home construction, please Contact Us for a commitment free discussion.