Page 39 - Green Builder July-August 2017 Issue

Is a Healthy Indoor This result is consistent with the findings about influential factors
for purchasing decisions, in which health was ranked low for buyers
Environment Worth More? and owners 35 and under.
■ ■ The findings for those in the middle-age group (age 36 to 54)
UILDERS AND REMODELERS generally believe baby vary. The highest percentage (36 percent) say these clients will pay
boomers, Generation Xers and millennials are all willing only 1 percent to 2 percent more, and the lowest (5 percent) say they
to pay more for a healthier home. According to the survey will pay at least 10 percent more. This suggests that for many, these
results, at least 80 percent of each age group will pay a higher clients will pay less for health. However, a relatively high percentage
B price, a finding that confirms that the concept of healthier (35 percent) believe that they will pay between 5 percent and 10
homes resonates with consumers. It also demonstrates that green percent more, which suggests that for some, health is a high priority.
builders and remodelers can benefit from capitalizing on the impact
of green building approaches on home owner health, DDA notes. What Goes into a Healthy Home
However, there are differences by age of consumers in how much
more builders and remodelers believe they will pay for a healthier LTHOUGH SEVERAL FEATURES in homes have been
that the value of a healthier home is not limited to those raising a A use by builders and remodelers varies widely, according to
demonstrated to positively impact occupants’ health, their
home:
■ Fifty-two percent believe that consumers who are 55 or older
■
will pay at least 5 percent more for a healthier home. Builders believe
the study.
For the most part, a similar percentage of homebuilders
family but is of wider interest. It suggests that marketing in this area and remodelers report use of these features during construction.
is likely to be quite successful, DDA notes. The level of green involvement, on the other hand, is influential
■ The lowest percentage (37 percent) believe that those in the in determining the degree of use of many healthier home features.
■
youngest age group (age 35 and under) will pay more than 5 percent. ■ ■ The most widely used healthier home feature is the use of
adequate sunlight or daylighting throughout the home. This is a
WILLING TO PAY MORE FOR HEALTHY critical health strategy in the home, since access to sunlight positively
impacts the mental health of the occupants, DDA notes. This popular

USE OF HEALTHIER HOME FEATURES

SOURCE: DODGE DATA & ANALYTICS SOURCE: DODGE DATA & ANALYTICS

Easy upsell. Builders’ belief that all ages of homebuyers will pay Key green features. The inclusion of health-promoting features
such as sunlight management, chemical-free pest prevention and
more for healthy housing appears well founded. More than 80 dedicated fresh air are high priorities for heavily and moderately
percent of survey respondents gave the idea a thumbs-up. involved green builders.

www.greenbuildermedia.com July/August 2017 GREEN BUILDER 37

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