According to the survey, which polled 800 registered voters about how important certain features would be in their decision to build a green home or remodel their current home to be more green, 64% said that energy efficiency would be the most important feature, the healthier environment of green homes came in second at 55%, and 49% percent believed it would be the right thing to do for the environment.

Home builders and designers who can provide energy efficient homes will have a better chance of surviving the recent housing slump.  While general home sales are down, recent studies have shown that the sale of green homes is remaining steady.  Green houses also tend to be worth more.

The one concern most consumers have is the cost of green homes.  While tax credits and rebates help, home owners should be looking at the long term benefits of owning green.  With lower energy and maintenance costs over time, the additional premium is worth it.  Also, as technology and building techniques evolve, construction costs will come down.

In today’s volatile fuel market, energy efficient buildings are going to be all the rage, and delivering quality homes at a reasonable price will help many builders rise above the slumping market.

With many cities experiencing a real estate “slump”, homeowners around the country are looking for ways to stand out from the slew of homes on the market, while improving their home’s resale value. Other homeowners are planning for the future: a future of ever-rising energy prices.

Regardless of your situation, you may be asking yourself if green home improvements increase the home’s value. The answer isn’t as straight-forward as some might hope.

The old rules still apply…

Before we dive in, there are a few things to consider when thinking about making home improvements – green or not. First, remember the three rules of real estate: location, location, location. The return on your investment will depend on the value of your house and others in the neighborhood, as well as your local housing market. Other factors like the quality of the workmanship, and how soon you move after making the improvements weigh in as well.

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Many businesses are putting the sun to work for them and saving a bundle on utility bills. While much of the country is experiencing increasing energy costs, some are looking to the sun as a solution.

Although nearly all solar applications will eventually save money, a large upfront investment is required. Some businesses are in the position to save a lot more money than others. Let’s explore which businesses can benefit the most from solar energy.

Use Large Quantities of Hot Water

Solar thermal technology is utilized to heat water and is frequently an impressive 70-90% efficient. Restaurants, gyms, apartment buildings, and laundromats are examples of ideal applications. Exactly the opposite of a gas or electric hot water heater, the more use the solar system gets, the larger the energy and cost savings.

Businesses Paying High Tax Rates

Two federal incentives exist to encourage solar installations. One is a federal tax credit of 30% that is set to expire at the end of the year (link). The tax credit is not affected by the tax rate. Businesses can also take an accelerated 5 year depreciation of the solar system. Businesses that pay a higher tax rate, will enjoy greater the tax savings from an accelerated depreciation, while businesses that don’t need additional write-offs won’t save a penny.

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