Builders Answer the Demand for Sustainable Homes

This month we celebrate Earth Day and continue our conversation about sustainability. We recently reviewed how home builders and building product manufacturers are committed to sustainable practices. In our next two blogs, we’ll talk about the demand by homebuyers for sustainable homes and how builders can save on sustainable building.

With growing concerns for the climate, the demand for sustainable homes has increased. In a recent study by Builder magazine, climate change was one of the top concerns where respondents showed interest in eco-friendly home features. Sustainable homes are designed to have a reduced impact on the environment while also providing a healthy living space for the homeowner.

There are several ways homebuyers have expressed interest in sustainable homes.

1. Homebuyers are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint through energy-efficient design, renewable energy sources and sustainable building materials.
2. In addition to taking advantage of tax benefits, many homebuyers are seeing this as a long-term investment that will pay off in the form of lower energy bills and increase in their home’s value.
3. Homebuyers are prioritizing their health and well-being with features like improved indoor air quality, natural lighting and the use of non-toxic building materials.

Builders are making many of these features standard in the home, which prompted the National Association of Home Builders to ask builders what energy-efficient features they will most likely include in their homes this year. The top features included low-E windows, efficient lighting, Energy Star-related appliances, windows and programmable thermostats.

HomeSphere partners have a variety of rebate-eligible products that make it easy for builders to offer homes that reduce their environmental impact and increase energy efficiency, while gaining cost savings through incentives. Here a few examples of HomeSphere manufacturers who are committed to offering products that meet the sustainability demand from homebuyers.

American Standard

American Standard water-conserving plumbing products never sacrifice performance. Water-saving products include toilets and showers. View their water-saving toilets, showers, faucets, and commercial plumbing products.

GROHE

Through intelligent technologies, GROHE has developed a line of smart water-saving technologies that use less water but do not reduce the enjoyment of the experience. Water-saving showerheads and faucets, dual flush plates, and water filtration are just a few of their innovative water-saving products.

Trex

Sustainably made using 95% recycled plastic film and reclaimed sawdust, Trex offers a comprehensive, range of low-maintenance decking products with warranties up to 50 years. Trex Transcend^® Lineage decking was just awarded the 2023 Green Builder Media's Sustainable Product of the Year.

Fiberon

Fiberon offers PE and PVC decking in a variety of price ranges, colors and grain patterns manufactured with recycled wood. Each decking collection is durable with low-maintenance materials, and is backed by warranties of up to 50 years.

Electrolux

Recognized as an Energy Star Partner of the Year, Electrolux offers appliances that reduce energy and water consumption to protect the environment. Their washing machines also take special care of garments so that they will last longer. Electrolux also integrates recycled materials into its products as well as utilizing more sustainable packaging and increasing the availability of spare parts for repairs.

Frigidaire

Another 2023 Energy Star Partner of the Year, Frigidaire’s appliances reduce energy and water consumption. Frigidaire is also converting refrigeration refrigerants from HFC to naturally occurring R600a, which offer a lower carbon footprint and increasing recycled content in their wall ovens while reducing their steel weight by 11%.

Wilsonart

Wilsonart’s surfaces have been inspired by nature and are highly durable while being sustainably supported through low emissions. They use 23% post-consumer recycled content in their Wilsonart® HPL, which is two times more than other laminate brands. Several Wilsonart® Products have now earned the Declare label from the International Living Future Institute and Wilsonart® HPL is the first product in the laminate category to receive a Declare label. Watch this short video to learn more about Wilsonart's commitment to sustainability.

Greenheck

Greenheck continues to take an industry-wide leadership position to influence positive global sustainability. Their products contribute to reducing energy consumption and improving healthier indoors. Greenheck’s specification-grade ventilation fan solutions are the only products in the industry designed, tested and certified (Air and Sound) for common installation scenarios of 0.4 in. wg and above. Having certified ventilation ensures the air movement necessary to meet today's stringent ventilation codes.

GAF

GAF’s RoofCycle™ Process is an innovative, patented recycling process that diverts shingle waste from landfills and reuses it in the manufacture of new GAF shingles. Timberline HDZ^® RoofCycle™ Series Shingles contain approximately 7% recycled content without sacrificing any of the quality.

Sunrun

Sunrun makes solar simple for builders and is proud to be the nation's #1 residential solar, storage and energy services company. Sunrun incorporates solar and storage in new homes during initial construction, ultimately making it easier for the builder to offer solar to their home buyer.

Gerber

A longtime EPA WaterSense® partner, Gerber is among one of the first in the industry to convert their entire line of toilets to include high-efficiency options, even before it was mandated.

This is just a snapshot of the manufacturers on our program. HomeSphere is proud to have many more brands who can meet the demand for sustainable products. By incorporating these rebate-eligible products, builders save money while meeting homebuyer demand for more sustainable homes with the goal of reducing environmental impact, save money on energy bills and create a healthier living environment.

See more about how our building manufacturing partners and builders have incorporated sustainability into their manufacturing and building practices.