San Diego is gaining an eco-friendly reputation through its increased sustainable homes over the past decade. This shift towards green living is rapidly becoming the norm rather than the exception. More San Diego home buyers are prioritizing eco-friendly homes. The Green Building Incentive Program in San Diego is inspiring more home builders to build environmentally friendly properties. Don’t be surprised if your neighbor sells their property to buy a green home that sustainably conserves energy.
Let’s dive into the world of sustainable homes in San Diego and how to buy an eco-friendly house.
Understanding Sustainable Homes: A Breath of Fresh Air
The goal of sustainable homes is to have a positive environmental impact by utilizing eco-friendly building materials, energy-efficient technologies, and unique designs. Green homes promote conservation and waste reduction for the inhabitants.
A San Diego green home is more than solar panels on the roof. Sustainable properties use eco-friendly building strategies like these to help reduce homeowners’ carbon footprint:
- Efficient insulation
- Smart lighting
- Greywater systems
- Water collection and storage
- Renewable solar energy
- Reusable and recycled materials used to construct the home
The result is a home that’s more in harmony with nature, saves on utility bills, and offers a healthier living environment. The US Green Building Council is for homeowners that want to learn more about sustainable homes.
The Cost of Green Homes
One of the first questions that pop into anyone’s mind is, “How much more will it cost me?” While it’s true that building or renovating a home to be sustainable can be more costly upfront, long-term savings can often offset these initial expenses. Plus, let’s not forget the benefit to our planet and your health. Green homes have 30% lower utility costs and fewer maintenance needs than traditional homes. Building a sustainable home may cost more now but will save you money in the future.
Green Building Incentive Program
San Diego County created the Green Building Incentive Program to inspire builders to construct eco-friendly homes. Its purpose is simple: to get people like you and me to use eco-friendly materials, conserve water, and be more energy efficient when we’re building or remodeling homes and businesses. Builders that meet the Green Building Incentive Program’s requirements get a faster plan check, which speeds up the home-building process. Builders also receive a sweet 7.5% reduction on both the plan check and building permit fees. Through green homes in San Diego, you can save money while saving the planet.
Home builders qualify for the eco-friendly green homes incentive by incorporating one of these resource conservation measures in your project:
1. Natural Resource Conservation
Using straw and hay as your primary building materials qualifies you as a San Diego green home. New buildings that use baled straw from harvested grain for the exterior walls get a thumbs up.
Recycling can also help you qualify for the sustainable homes incentive. For example, if at least 20% of your main building materials are made up of 20% post-consumer recycled stuff (think reused materials), you qualify. Alternatively, if one major building material (like roofing) is at least 50% post-consumer recycled content, your property is sustainable!
2. Water Conservation
Remember that leftover water from your shower or washing machine? That’s gray water. Homeowners can sustainably use gray water when gardening via subsurface distribution systems. Installing a gray water system in your new or renovated property qualifies your house for the Green Building Incentive Program. Many new construction homes in San Diego come with eco-friendly features like these.
PRO TIP: make sure you get the right permit from the Department of Environmental Health. They are strict!
3. Energy Conservation
Energy savers, here’s your chance to go green! Residential projects that go 15% beyond the minimum Title 24 standards, and commercial projects that go 25% beyond, qualify for the Green Building Incentive Program. You can show the Building Division that you’re exceeding the standards by giving them the correct documentation that the California Energy Commission approves.
Green Home Incentives in San Diego
Living an eco-friendly lifestyle at home is more than just a trend; it’s a conscious choice that can make a world of difference. San Diego offers green home incentives (cheaper and faster permits) to encourage more residents to build sustainable homes. We have a relationship with the environment – making changes to reduce our carbon footprint is key.
Finding Your Dream Green Home in San Diego
Finding sustainable homes in San Diego is easier than ever, thanks to an increasing number of dedicated real estate agencies. Websites like San Diego Green Homes are good starting points. Eco-friendly San Diego residents can meet professionals in the industry and share ideas about how to make the community more sustainable. Green homes are the future in San Diego, Chula Vista, and Southern California.
Buy a Green Home in San Diego
With the increasing threat of climate change and the need for all of us to do our part, there has never been a better time to consider a sustainable home. Yes, going green is a big step. If you’re ready to embrace a greener lifestyle and invest in your future, buying a sustainable home could be the perfect first step.
Every bit of energy saved and drop of water conserved helps safeguard the planet for future generations. By embracing a green lifestyle at home, we’re contributing to the global effort to protect and preserve the environment. It’s a simple and powerful way to effect positive change, right from the comfort of our own homes. Sustainable homes in San Diego will continue to inspire people to be the change they want to see in California.