As published in the July 2008 issue of Green Building Product Dealer, the survey, sponsored by Plastpro and conducted by Opinion Research Corp, went on to say that 89 percent would pay more for products that reduced their heating and cooling costs.  Also, the homeowners surveyed prefer higher grade materials with a longer life span over cheaper, shorter-lived products.

Franco An, President of Plastpro, a manufacturer of Energy Star rated fiberglass entry doors, says the poll shows that, “homeowners realize that long-term savings far outweigh upfront costs.”  This seems to fly in the face of many in the industry that complain that upfront costs are causing their customers to choose non-green alternatives.

It is important to look at the full life cycle cost of a project before deciding whether to pursue a green or non-green approach.  This cost not only includes the upfront material and labor costs, but also maintenance and energy costs, and the life span of the product.  A cheaper product that has to be replaced more often is not necessarily better than a more expensive product with a longer life, even though the initial cost may be less.  Designers and contractors need to make sure their customers understand this when deciding on the type of materials to use on a project.

As fuel costs continue to rise, energy saving products are going to become more and more attractive to building owners.  Again, designers and contractors need to be ready to provide the full cost data so consumers can make an educated decision.

For more information on the costs and benefits of green building, see:

“Green Buildings Bring in More Money”

“Energy Efficiency Tops with Green Home Owners”

“The Bottom Line - Green Home Upgrades and Home Values”