Phoenix Green Home Options

Green comes in many different shades throughout the Phoenix region. From solar panels to low E windows, home buyers are looking for more and more energy efficient and green options when buying a home.

These options can be seen in both the resale market and the new home markets.

Green resale homes vary about as much as the inventory of homes out there. In today's market, for example, green homes can even be found in the multitude of short sales and foreclosures that plague the Phoenix market.

In order to answer the question, "What is green?", Green Leaf has developed the Green Home Self Audit, designed to assist home buyers in the desert southwest to analyze the various green options that a home has through a clear and simple method.  The Green Home Self Audit focuses on the four elements of water, air, fire (energy and heat), and earth as a means of scoring how green a home may be.  Through this self analysis, a home buyer is able to clearly survey a variety of homes to come up with comprehensive yet simple analysis.

The Element of Water involves analyzing the types of plumbing, how water is used throughout the home and how the water is conserved (or not conserved).  Emphasis is placed on those green options that conserve water or require less water to accomplish the same task.  Examples include xeriscaping, low flow showerheads, and on demand water heaters.

The Element of Air focuses on indoor air quality throughout the home.  Emphasis is placed on those items that insure good quality air throughout the home and those items necessary to prevent stale or contaminated air from lingering in the home.  Examples include a review of proper ventilation in attached garages, bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans, and a count of ceiling fans throughout the home.

The Element of Fire combines the effects of heating (or cooling) on the home and energy efficiency as it relates to the house.  Fire is the broadest category in the survey since most major systems of the house involve heating, cooling, and/or energy efficiency.  Examples range from solar photovoltaic panels on the roof to the type of wall construction on the home. 

The Element of Earth takes into account the impact that the home has on the environment.  Focus is placed on material conservation and the footprint created by the dwelling.  Examples used in the analysis take into account the size of the dwelling, landscaping, and the building materials used (such as cabinets and flooring).

The Green Home Self Audit allows you to rank each property through a straight-forward and simple scoring process and assign a score to a home.  Each element receives a score, allowing you to emphasize those elements that you want to focus on, and each system of the home receives a cumulative score for that category.

For more information on the Green Home Self Audit or to talk with a Green Leaf agent, contact us at (602) 993-7509.