Why live in a green building?

The information in this article could be out-of-date or no longer relevant.

The benefits of a green home

The benefits of green building continue to stack up. There are a wide range of positive benefits for people living in green buildings including:

>   Saving money
>   A healthier home
>   A smart investment
>   Reduced environmental impact

Save money

Green homes put money in the pockets of home owners and tenants by saving on energy and water costs.
  • The Value of Green Star: A decade of environmental benefits (2013) found that Green Star buildings use 66% less electricity and 51% water than the average Australian building. Because Green Star buildings deliver higher levels of energy and water efficiency, they are cheaper to operate.
  • Homes that incorporate high efficiency appliances and lighting, increased insulation, water conservation measures and are well ventilated all lead to more dollars in the bank.
  • Did you know the tallest timber apartment building is in Melbourne? The Green Star-rated Forte building is constructed from cross-laminated timber, which requires less energy to heat and cool. This has reduced energy and water costs by around 25%, saving residents an average of $300 per year.
The gas-boosted hot water system at Lilyfield Housing Redevelopment in Sydney provides 60% of hot water consumed in the apartments and delivers annual savings of $19,000 – or $213 per unit – meaning the annual electricity bills for households are 25% cheaper.

Read our case study.

 

 

Healthier homes

Green homes are healthy homes. Good ventilation, low-toxic materials and abundant daylight are all factors proven to improve the health and wellbeing of residents.
  • A literature review undertaken by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute in (2011) found that people who live in dwellings that are damp, cold or mouldy are at greater risk of respiratory conditions, such as asthma, and more likely to suffer from mental health issues.
  • Good indoor environment quality is nothing to be sneezed at! Lung and respiratory diseases – associated with poor indoor environment quality – are three of the top five leading causes of death, according to the World Health Organization.
  • The National Centre for Healthy Housing in the US has found people experience 63% more symptom-free days from asthma when they live in homes with low-toxicity and good indoor environment quality.

 

Smart Investment

Many buyers are beginning to see green buildings as a mark of quality when they hunt for a new property, and evidence is emerging that a green rating translates into a higher sale price when it comes time to sell.

  • Energy Efficiency rating and house price in the ACT (2008) examined the relationship between energy efficiency and house prices, finding that each half-star increase in the energy efficiency rating translated into a 2% increase in capital value.
  • Another broader American study, The Value of Green Labels (2012), involved a pricing analysis of 1.6 million single-family home sales in California from 2007-2012. The researchers found that, while the average sales price of a non-certified California home was $400,000, a green certification lifted the price by more than $34,800. This translated into a 9% green premium.
It is clear that sustainable buildings like Convesso represent smart financial investments today and environmentally responsible investments in our future.
Executive Director, Lend Lease, Hugh Martin

 

With a 4 Star Green Star rating, Convesso 8 Waterside Place in Melbourne uses 65% less heating and cooling energy than similar sized, non-green apartments. It’s also a smart investment.

Read more in our case study.

Contact:
Rachael McGinley
Senior Manager - Strategy & Development
Green Building Council of Australia
Phone: 02 8239 6291
Email: rachael.mcginley@gbca.org.au