WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS: "Green" home building a growing trend

"Green" home building a growing trend

By Monica Hernandez - bio | email

METRO JACKSON, MS (WLBT) - At first glance, nothing seems different about Jo Ann Thompson's Madison home. But there aren't many other homes like it in Metro Jackson. Thompson's lives in a "green" home, built to be more resource efficient.

"It's [a] new [concept], and that was one of the things that encouraged me to go green. And the indoor air quality, and just being a part of doing something good for the environment," said Thompson.

Thompson's home may look like any other home, but builders say small changes can make a big difference. Low VOC wall paint increase the air quality. Heat-reflecting panels and a tankless water heater make the home greener. And high-efficiency appliances and extra-thick insulation also help make the home more resource-efficient.

"A green home has better windows and doors, a higher efficiency rating on the furnace" said Gary Smith. He helps the National Association of Home Builders verify whether a home is green.

According to builders, the greener the home, the higher the price. Going green can increase the cost of your home by two to 25 percent.

But in the long-run, experts say going green could save money by reducing your utility bills.

Builders like Scott Shoemaker expect green construction to eventually become the norm.

"I think green building is not a fad," said Shoemaker. "I think it's going to be bigger and bigger and larger and larger and it's simply going to grow over time. It's something that's greening up and growing up."