Jaffa News

Green Homes Market Expected to Increase Five-Fold by 2016

NAHB: McGraw-Hill Construction released findings from a new Green Home Builders and Remodelers Study at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) International Builders' Show in Orlando. Green homes comprised 17 percent of the overall residential construction market in 2011 and are expected to grow to between 29 percent and 38 percent of the market by 2016. By value, this equates to a five-fold increase, growing from $17 billion in 2011 to $87-$114 billion in 2016, based on the five-year forecast for overall residential construction. According to the study, construction industry professionals report an even steeper increase in green home remodeling; 34 percent of remodelers expect to be doing mostly green work by 2016, a 150 percent increase over 2011 activity levels.

Interiors

Splash of Color

With such gorgeous landscape around us, the interiors of Park City homes tend to stay fairly neutral in their color palate. We use bright artwork, pillows and accessories to add energy in our spaces. In this home we used bright green leather chairs to elevate the neutral tones in this kitchen. The saturation of color also adds contrast with the dark cabinetry and medium floor.

The orange in the table setting also adds whimsy and ties in with furniture and artwork we've used throughout the home. Repeating colors throughout the home keeps the color from being overwhelming.

Architectural Feature

Powerhouse Solar Shingles

Dow, which kicked off its U.S. launch of Powerhouse Solar Shingles in Colorado last fall, has announced the first members of the product's authorized dealer network.

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Green Product / Recycle News

Wasting Water and Flushing Dollars

Most "green building" conversations emphasize energy efficiency. By contrast, the issue of water -- its scarcity, purity, and significance to sustainability -- is often overlooked or discounted.

That's because in North America, we take water for granted; not only is it cheap, it is relatively abundant and clean. But while an average bathtub may hold 40 gallons of water, many people in developing countries survive on 8 gallons of water or less per day. In fact, an estimated 800 million people worldwide lack access to safe water supplies and 3.5 million people die each year from water-related disease.

Domestically, recent seasonal and longer-term droughts in several areas have triggered restrictions and household quotas on water use. In fact, average residential water rates have climbed 10 percent nationwide since 2009.

As a professional builder who looks out for the welfare of our homebuyers and our community, we accommodate requests and comply with all building code requirements to reduce a home's water consumption.

In many cases, we can use low-flow plumbing fixtures including toilets, faucets, and showerheads, to automatically reduce water use without our homeowners noticing much (if any) difference in their convenience and performance. The latest clothes washers, dishwashers, and water heating systems also use less water (and save energy, too). All of those products are readily available and generally affordable.

But as much as these "embedded" water savings reduce consumption, there is more that we can do. We encourage homeowners to keep their water use in check with some simple changes to their lifestyle habits.

One easy way to save water at home is to limit your showers to no more than 10 minutes and avoid filling the bathtub unless absolutely necessary. Turn off the bathroom faucet while brushing your teeth or shaving.

In addition, homeowners can save water by running only full loads of laundry and dishes. If you have to hand-wash some dishes in the kitchen, fill one basin with soapy water (to clean/scrub) and another with clear water (to rinse) rather than continuously running the faucet.

As much as those lifestyle adjustments can reduce water inside your home, making some changes outside can be even more impactful. Easy stuff, such as using a broom instead of a garden hose to clean off your driveway or patio and washing your car less often (or at a carwash which recycles its water) can save hundreds of gallons of water a year.

But the real culprit of outdoor water waste is landscaping, and especially turf grass areas. If you can adjust or replace your lawn sprinklers with more targeted, rotating heads that limit overspray and set up a drip irrigation system for trees and shrubs, you'll see a significant reduction in your water use.

With that, consider putting your irrigation system on a timer and setting it to run in the early morning to reduce evaporation.

You can also buy and install small rainwater catchment systems from a home improvement or hardware store, which can be used for seasonal flower beds or hanging plants instead of using potable water for those needs.

With so many areas in the developing world so desperate for clean, healthy drinking water, and our costs continuing to rise, can we afford to take water for granted?

Testimonial

“Buying a second home is hard when you are not familiar with the builders in a new area. Purchasing a home from the Jaffa's did not end at the time the title transfers - they took the service after the sale to the next level. They have been available in person and by phone to answer any questions. They used quality companies that stand behind the house to ensure the house is well maintained and enjoyable each time we use it.”

~ The Block Family