Buying a "Green" Home for Future Savings

Today many people are wanting their homes to be more "green". This month's Parade of Homes in Lakeland is featuring one home, located at 4322 Tokose Place, which is the state's highest scoring Florida Green Building Coalition "Platinum" Level home. It is also the first home in the state of Florida to receive NAHB ANSI Gold Level Certification.

ANSI approved the National Green Building Standard, or ICC-700 as it is also called, in January of 2009. There are four levels, bronze, silver, gold and emerald that can be earned for an energy-efficient home. By incorporating green features into the homes they build, builders receive points in six specific areas, including site development, energy conservation, water conservation, indoor air quality, resource conservation and homeowner education. These accumulated points will determine the level of certification that a home attains.

Lakeland's featured home uses such things as solar power, special insulation and extra-tight construction practices to make it more energy efficient throughout the coming years. While many homes in today's Lakeland real estate market may not have quite as many "green" upgrades as this special home, there are homes available that have been constructed or remodeled with the idea of lowering utility costs in the years ahead.

When househunting in Lakeland, look for such things as upgraded insulation, solar lighting, Energy Star rated lighting fixtures and appliances, double-pane windows and doors, and even counter tops created from recycled products.

Check the outside of homes you are considering as well, since another way to save energy costs is in a home's landscaping. Homes that feature Florida-friendly landscaping which includes plants that require less water, irrigation systems that use less water and even rain collection systems such as the cistern used in the home mentioned above, can all lower water bills and help conserve Florida's water.

When you begin your house hunt in the Lakeland area, keep in mind that a "green" home can save you money in the future. Let Damion Boyce and The Boyce Team help you find that green home for a lifetime of savings, both in utility costs, and the earth's resources.