A Greener House

How green should you go? If you would like to make a positive impact on the environment but are concerned about the financial outlay, A Greener House is for you. Property experts Richard Reed and Sara Wilkinson will show you how to decide which sustainable measures are suited to your property, and evaluate the cost implications of installing them. You'll learn how to design a new home that exceeds the highest energy-efficiency ratings available, protect your property from obsolescence and outdating, and evaluate market trends in your neighbourhood. If you own property and would like to increase its value, you can't afford to ignore sustainability. This book will show you how to reduce your environmental footprint while making the most of your greatest financial asset. We all agree that we can't continue to consume the world's resources at the rate that we are now. We must start living more sustainably - and what better place to start than at home? Most of us want to play our part, but we're put off by financial concerns. But what if the cost of building or remodelling a greener house could be recovered in the value of your home when you sell?

How green should you go?If you would like to make a positive impact on the environment but are concerned about the financial outlay, A Greener House is for you. Property experts Richard Reed and Sara Wilkinson will show you how to decide which sustainable measures are suited to your property, and evaluate the cost implications of installing them. You'll learn how to design a new home that exceeds the highest energy-efficiency ratings available, protect your property from obsolescence and outdating, and evaluate market trends in your neighbourhood.If you own property and would like to increase its value, you can't afford to ignore sustainability. This book will show you how to reduce your environmental footprint while making the most of your greatest financial asset.We all agree that we can't continue to consume the world's resources at the rate that we are now. We must start living more sustainably - and what better place to start than at home? Most of us want to play our part, but we're put off by financial concerns. But what if the cost of building or remodelling a greener house could be recovered in the value of your home when you sell?

About the authors viiAcknowledgements ixIntroduction xiPart I: the theory1 Understandingvalue 32 What affects property value? 133 A matter of health 454 Government and sustainability 55Part II: putting theory into practice5 Energy options 716 Existing properties 877 New properties 115Part III: looking to the future8 Alternative building options 1319 Where to now? 143Appendix A: glossary of terms 147Appendix B: decision-making flowchart 163Appendix C: sustainability checklist 165Appendix D: useful websites 171Index 179