ATLANTA — Ninety-four percent of green homeowners responded that they would recommend a green home to a friend, according to a national survey of homeowners who purchased a National Green Building Standard (NGBS)-certified green home built within the past three years. The study was commissioned by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

The NAHB said that, prior to this study, customer satisfaction among green homeowners had not been thoroughly explored. “Historically, studies have focused on interest in green among buyers in the market or on trends as reported by industry professionals,” said Matt Belcher, co-chair of NAHB’s Energy & Green Building Subcommittee and a builder from Wildwood, Mo. “While that’s certainly important information for all those in the industry, it doesn’t always get to the heart of what new buyers want to know, which is: ‘How satisfied are green homeowners with their decision?’ This data provides groundbreaking information that can be of value to the general public as well as the industry.”

Other key findings of the study include:

• 92 percent would purchase another green home.

• 71 percent of respondents believe that green homes are, overall, of higher quality.

• 55 percent knew their home may have cost more than a non-green home, but believed the benefits outweighed the cost.

Among the most important decision factors when purchasing a green home, respondents selected low maintenance at 78 percent, energy efficiency at 65 percent, and air quality at 59 percent. Some of the specific important features that respondents cited include insulation, heating/cooling, and geothermal.

A summary of the report is available here: Homeowner’s Perspective - The Value of a Green Home.

Publication date: 3/3/2014

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