WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012
From energy efficient windows to energy star appliances and solar panels, homeowners are looking for ways to decrease their bills and increase the efficiency of their homes. Going green in your home can help your pocketbook, your insurance rates, and your carbon footprint and might be easier than you think.
 Building a Green Home
When building a green home, there are builders and suppliers available who specialize in building green homes according to industry and national standards. Building materials that go into a green home are different from traditional building materials in that they are often recyclable and free of certain toxins that traditional building materials may contain. In addition to the building materials, many green homes may have specialized systems to maximize energy use and efficiency- from solar panels and alternative water systems. Even without a specialized green builder, many of these options are available to those who are adding on or remodeling, which can save money for years to come. If you are considering environmentally friendly updates to your property, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) provides these tips to help make your home more eco-friendly.
Insuring a Green Home
When making green improvements or building green, it’s important to make sure your insurance agent is aware of any systems or appliances that may be a part of your green home so that if necessary they can be replaced or repaired in a way that helps maintain any green certifications your home may have. A green homeowners policy is one that covers rebuilding a damaged home to green standards. These policies generally cover the costs of environmentally friendly materials and low environmental-impact processes such as lighting, heating and cooling systems, windows, insulation, appliances, home electronics, home office equipment, plumbing fixtures, as well as framing, roofing and siding materials that require less energy to operate, are more durable, sustainability produced, or composed of recycled content.
Each policy is different, so make sure your policy covers the items that you want to have covered. Green policies are not yet available in all states, so check with your state insurance department to find a company licensed to write a green policy in your state.
Your current home may also be eligible for green home discounts for using sustainable materials or energy efficiency appliances. Any time you make changes or improvements to your home, it’s important to advise your insurance agent, as it could change the amount of coverage you would need to make repairs to cover a potential loss. Going green by using sustainable, non-toxic materials and energy efficient methods can lower many of your household bills including water and electric usage as well as insurance premium discounts.
By Matt Reynolds - Google+
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