"These costs would be quickly recouped by the homeowner through lower utility bills. For example, the energy model indicated that the home would save $437 in heating and cooling costs annually, and I'd estimate another $200 to $250 in lighting and appliances, for a payback of only 3 to 5 years. The estimated heating and cooling is only about $30 a month for 2,400 square feet, which is very impressive for our climate."

MARKETING

NORTH CAROLINA HEALTHYBUILT HOMES PROGRAM

The North Carolina HealthyBuilt Homes (HBH) Program provides a certificate for homes that meet HBH's green home guidelines. To earn a bronze, silver, or gold certificate for their homes, residential builders must use sustainable, high-performance building strategies that reduce energy and water usage, promote renewable energy use, and protect the land where the home is built.

Technology Highlights

This project included the following PATH-profiled technologies:

• Fly Ash Concrete
• HVAC Equipment and Ducts in Conditioned Space
• HVAC Smart Zoning Controls
• Modular Construction
• PEX Piping
• Precast Concrete Foundation
• Recycled Content Carpet/Padding
• Xeriscaping

[IMAGE: This Asheville home was the first modular home certified by the North Carolina HealthyBuilt Homes program.] "We sold the home only three weeks into advertising, while similarly priced to less expensive homes in the neighborhood are still on the market over three months later. A couple in New York purchased it over the Internet, and they didn't have a clue about the green elements. Instead, they were sold on our attention to detail, the economics of the ENERGY STAR certification, and the low-maintenance features."

"A major benefit of earning a green certification is that it demonstrates the attention to detail you put into the home. You can't get a HealthyBuilt Home certification without such attention to detail, because a home is certified through a series of third-party inspections. The certification will obviously attract people who are looking for a green home, but it is also a powerful marketing tool to target consumers that are simply looking for a quality home."