Should there be a Law requiring New Home construction include a renewable energy source? i.e. solar or wind?

Question

Building inspectors would not allow the sale of a house if it didn't include toilets. Doesn't have to be to elaborate, just something to permit the new owner to expand if he wanted to and had the money. Maybe 1/4 of a roof with solar panels, an inverter, and the right meter.

Answer 1

I like this idea, but I don't believe it could be fully implemented in the near future. Things of that nature tend to raise new home prices quite a bit, and a lot of homes are limited to solar energy only, for unreliable winds make a wind generator an unreliable investment.

I would love to see it, but it's implementation couldn't be enforced with today's mindset.

Answer 2

All that would happen is that people would build their houses in places without such laws.

Answer 3

I strongly believe it should. Can you imagine the impact it would make on the earth?!?

Answer 4

The only problem with that is places like condo contruction :( but it's a good idea to explore!

There are already several budding laws that deal with this. X amount of trees per square foot, and components must be of a certain type, etc etc. Though it's not as dramatic as your solution, maybe these laws will pave a way for your solution to become a reality some day

Answer 5

Eventually this law will be passed into effect for new residential homes and rehabs.

This is already happening in commercial construction.  There is a "LEED" or green rating system set in place by the US Green Building Council: www.usgbc.org.

Most commercial building owners are looking to "green" their buildings and become LEED certified under their rating system - they are being pushed by financing companies, employees and the industry in general.  The construction industry for commercial is being pressured to conform to green standards with the effects of global warming.  Energy from buildings released into the atmosphere is 60% of the total.  Owners are being pushed into creating energy efficient buildings to reduce carbon emissions which contribute to global warming.

Some cities like Boston (where I live), Seattle and Chicago are placing mandatory requirements on new construction to aid in creating sustainable buildings with energy efficient systems.  These are incorporated into your building permit and you cannot receive an occupancy permit unless you follow these provisions.

Read up on LEED certified buildings.  There are rating systems for new construction, rehabs, healthcare facilities, warehouses, residential and campus complexes.

Eventually with all the rebates and tax deductions for homes with Energy star appliances and windows, I think that within the next 10 years or so, green requirments for homes will work its way into the building codes.  They will probably offer more incentives along the way too for people who are creating improvements or replacements to their property.

Answer 6

How 'bout we start with places allowing houses to have them first?    Many "planned communities" (track housing) don't allow solar panels because they don't "look good".    Builders having more knowledge of local options on ways of reducing energy use would help too.    Why install solar panels when a heat pump would cost less and be much more energy effective?    A south facing house with double pane windows would do as much to heat a house as a small windmill.   The proper overhang on a house in the south to allow the morning and evening sun in, but keep the afternoon sun out would help also.

Answer 7

I think that there should at least be some effort on building codes to make sure that reasonable steps have been taken to make homes more energy efficient. Skylights are a fabulous way to give people light in the home so they dont have to turn on lights during the day. Also in some climates solar panels can help supply some of the electricity and or heating. So yes.

Answer 8

Apparently, California has enacted an initiative to put 1 million solar panels on peoples homes. It will be very difficult to get away with building a home that doesn't use some sort of renewable energy since consumers will demand it even without a law.

At some point, if you don't have solar panels it will be a negative selling point.

http://www.greencollareconomy.com

Answer 9

a law probably would never pass, but if we could give homeowners incentives or rewards for gearing toward renewable energy would be a great start.  However the first step would be to remove ridiculous laws that some states have that state that new homes being constructed cannot have solar panels or wind turbines (Yes there are a few states).