Chicago Home Buyers Look for Healthy Homes

March 3, 2012 - PRLog -- Last week, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that single family home prices in the Chicago-area were down 2% in December from November.  Homes in the Chicago-area dropped 6.5% in 2011 as compared to 2010 prices.

While the housing market is still struggling, some home sellers and home builders have turned to making their homes more attractive to buyers by installing green features.  These green features may provide increased energy efficiency, healthier indoor air quality and cause less of an impact on the environment.

One of the leading building science consulting experts in the area has been on the forefront of helping both buyers and sellers with green features in homes.  Ed Chambers, President of EC2, Inc., has decades of experience helping people with energy efficiency, indoor air quality and other environmental issues related to homes and properties.

“More and more home buyers are looking for healthy green homes,” reported Mr. Chambers.  “It’s a great way to add value and make a property standout during this challenging real estate market.  At EC2 we work with buyers, sellers and home builders to create healthy living environments that maximize energy efficiency, provide optimal indoor air quality and a safe indoor environment for families.”

Mr. Chambers recommends paying extra attention to the following items when looking to purchase a green home:

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) – Look for properties constructed using low or zero emitting volatile organic compound (VOC) carpets, paints and finishes.  Also check to see if the HVAC units were designed to provide the home with fresh air intakes.  Some builders now even offer UV-C lights to help clean and disinfect the air in the HVAC system.  Check the energy efficiency of the HVAC system and look for programmable thermostats in the home.  Even if you are purchasing a new home, be sure there has been no water damage that could cause issues with mold, bacteria or even viruses.  

Solar – Many homes now offer solar systems for both electrical production and hot water heating.  The systems have been decreasing in price and increasing in efficiency.  Purchasing a new home with these systems may also qualify the new homeowners for significant tax credits.

Water – Look for well insulated water tanks and homes with high efficiency facets and showerheads.  Dual flush toilets can also save thousands of gallons of water each year.
Structure - Homes with double Low-E windows can provide considerable energy savings and help keep the home’s temperature comfortable.  Many homes now also come with spray foam insulation with is a very efficient type of insulation.

Appliances – Look for ENERGY STAR qualified appliances to save on energy and water usage.  Consider purchasing a front loading washing machine to save additional water.

Lighting – Many builders now use Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFL) which use far less energy, and last longer, than traditional light bulbs.  Light-Emitting Diodes (LED) are even better.

Landscaping – If purchasing a home in an area that requires irrigated landscaping look for one with a smart control system that adapts water usage to the climate and region of the country it has been installed in.  Drip irrigation is also a highly efficient way to water plant and trees.

EC2 recently sponsored an online education video about what to look for before buying a green home, it can be seen at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qo8GeiZlpdw



To learn more about green homes, energy efficiency, IAQ and other environmental and building science services, please visit http://www.4ec2inc.com, email info@4ec2inc.com or call (815) 703-9000.

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About EC2, Inc.
EC2 is a leading provider of environmental consulting and inspection services for customers in the United States. Based in the Chicago area, the company provides their services to clients ranging from local companies and institutions to international Fortune 500 Corporations.