Multifamily builders and developers are responding to growing consumer interest in
sustainable building practices and energy efficiency, says the NAHB.
More of the nation’s apartments and condominiums are going green as multifamily
builders and developers respond to growing consumer interest in sustainable
building practices, according to a recent survey by theNational Association of Home Builders.
Steve
Patterson, chairman of NAHB’s Multifamily Leadership Board and an apartment and
condo developer from Orlando, Fla., noted, “With today’s heightened consumer
interest in green, multifamily builders are embracing more green and recyclable
products, and are more willing to invest in energy efficiency.”
In the
survey, which polled multifamily builders and developers nationwide on their
green building practices, 89 percent of respondents reported that they are
installing energy-efficient appliances and lighting in their multifamily
communities. The survey also found that 50 percent are using significantly more
insulation than required by building codes - a number that rises to 70 percent
of West Coast respondents.
While a majority of the survey respondents -
74 percent - said that renters and condo buyers are willing to pay more for
green amenities, the median additional amount they are willing to pay is only
about 2 percent.