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- Green homes are expensive: Eco friendly homes are available for a wide range of prices such as green prefabs for less than $150,000 to urban eco friendly condos for $690,000 or more. Green homes come in different types, prices, and sizes.
- Green homes look strange: Green homes don’t just look like spaceships-they have come a long way. Most green homes look just like traditional ones only they may have solar panels on the roof or small wind turbines.
- Green homes use only non-toxic materials: This is not always the case. Many green homes use spray polyurethane foam which can be controversial. Although this material is a great energy saver, it is also thought to contribute to global warming.
- Green homes require cutting edge technology: Green homes are less about new technology and gadgets and more about using construction methods that increase energy efficiency and create a healthy indoor living area.
- Green homes need new energy efficient appliances: It’s actually not green to get rid of appliances that are in good working order, even if they aren’t energy efficient. If they are taken care of properly, major appliances such as fridges and washers/dryers should last about 10-18 years.
- Urban areas need green homes more than rural areas: Actually, both rural areas and suburban areas need green homes more than urban areas. People that live in crowded cities actually have a smaller carbon footprint because of the walkability of the area they live in.
- Existing homes can’t be green: Not true! Retrofitting a home is a much greener process than building a new one; new green homes take 10-80 years to overcome the negative affects to the environment that the construction process causes.