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PATH Case Study

Modular Builder Finds His Niche

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"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.

"We're successfully using this home as a marketing tool to help us build a niche market," says Bennert. "The project has given us a huge amount of exposure. The local newspaper did an article on us because it was the first green modular home certified by North Carolina HealthyBuilt Homes. A large number of people have come through the house. Some were interested in buying it; others were just interested in the concept."

Technology Highlights

This project included the following PATH-profiled technologies:


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."





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Content updated on 9/13/2006

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