Consideration of the environment in homes occurs in all sorts of ways and a variety of metro Atlanta businesses are reaching out to eco-minded homeowners.
Sustainable features promote savings
A Yahoo! Real Estate survey finds that energy-efficiency features are among the most wanted items in the home. Fifty percent of the 1,500 homeowners and renters nationwide surveyed wanted green and energy-efficient homes and sustainable materials, compared to 38 percent who wanted a custom home, 38 percent seeking water views and 32 percent seeking mountain views.
While seeking a larger space is still the biggest reason why people want to move (45 percent), Yahoo's survey, conducted in October 2011, found that 27 percent wanted a more environmentally sustainable home. Of the green features, 60 percent were seeking energy-efficient appliances or lighting and 38 percent expressed an interest in solar panels.
Insulation is one area where some homebuilders are making an investment in new construction. O'Dwyer Homes, based in Alpharetta, is building all of its homes with Icynene spray foam insulation in the attics, which can reduce the amount of energy homeowners need to cool or heat their homes. The spray foam insulation creates an air barrier to halt heat loss and cooling loss, keeps out allergens and pollutants, fills cracks and gaps and reduces noise, according to Icynene.
Insecticides go green
If you're looking for pesticides designed to be safe for the home and families, Alpharetta-based EcoSMART is one of the companies with products on the market. Its organic insect repellent is made with botanicals such as rosemary, lemongrass and cinnamon. The all-natural formula is DEET-free, the company says.
Energy-efficient incentives for veterans
Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta is among institutions offering funds to assist veterans with not only buying or renovating homes, but also making energy-efficient upgrades. Its Veterans Energy Efficiency/Weatherization grant provides up to $15,000 for weatherization and energy-efficient improvements of an existing home occupied by the owner (for at least one year).
Updates to insulation, roof, HVAC systems, exterior doors, windows and low-flow plumbing fixtures are among the improvements that can be included. No homebuyer matching funds are required and homebuyers and homeowners must have incomes that are less than or equal to 80 percent of the Housing and Urban Development median income for the area (adjusted for family size).
Its affordable housing funding is available for military veterans or active duty members or their surviving spouses. To inquire about the funds, visit a FHLBank Atlanta member financial institution. (A list can be found at fhlbatl.com/setaside).
