North Carolina Green Builders and Associates (NCGBA) are an organization of home builders and associates that specialize in building high performance and energy efficient homes. They have pioneered sustainable building principles and have contributed to North Carolina being a leader in the green building industry. Despite the present housing crisis, they have built businesses and created jobs in North Carolina predicated on many of the guidelines in the proposed 2012 Energy Conservation Code. The monthly savings from the energy efficiency of these homes and buildings meet and exceed consumer demand in all sectors of the market.
Based on the factors listed above, and for the sake of North Carolinians, the NCGBA is asking Governor Purdue to use the full power of her office to implement the adoption of the proposed North Carolina Energy Conservation Code.
The organization utilizes real numbers – as opposed to estimates that have been presented by builders and suppliers thus far – that can demonstrate the true value of the Energy Conservation Code changes. The research has indicated that some of the builders that have met with the Governor are simply not familiar with energy efficient construction. The proposed code changes incur approximately $1 -$2 per square foot more in cost while saving between $30-100 a month in energy bills. This increase will pay for itself in less than 5 years with a 15-20% return on investment. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has numeric data that supports the fact that energy efficient homes cost less to own than non-efficient homes, though they may start off with higher price tags.
The research shows that these changes should be implemented as soon as possible and the NCGBA believes that waiting another three years, or incrementally enacting an energy code update, will not allow be enough time to reach the 2017 goal of 90% compliance. The organization believes these changes are technically easy to implement and that suppliers and trainers are in place across North Carolina. The NCGBA is in agreement that the changes will both strengthen and stabilize the building industry, while making it more profitable. The group believes this next step is paramount in rebuilding the state’s economy and placing North Carolina on the path to a greener future.
The NCGBA has extended their appreciation for the efforts of Governor Perdue to encourage the Building Code Council to make all new homes and buildings more energy efficient than the current dated standards demand. The organization is in position to support the Governor in this effort and plan to discuss further action at her earliest convenience.
For more information about the NCGBA, please contact Chad Ray of Old Heritage Builders at 919-422-1365 and/or Michele Myers of M Squared Builders & Designers, Inc. at 919-620-8535.
About Olde Heritage Builders:
Olde Heritage Builders & Realty is a Raleigh green home builder dedicated to excellence, sustainability, community service, technology, and hard work. They proudly build green in Raleigh, Wake Forest, Wilson, Wendell, and Knightdale region of North Carolina.
