Green building; environmentally friendly construction is gaining momentum

New Mexico Business Journal, August-Sept, 1999 by Gail Sutton

"In a three-star home I am building, the owner is spending an additional $4,000 to upgrade the heating and cooling system from an 80-percent efficiency to a 92-percent efficiency. It will save her $1,330 annually, which means the higher-efficient system will pay for itself in 3.2 years," said DiGregory.

One Albuquerque-area builder considered to be a trail blazer in Green-building techniques is Ed Paschich, owner of Passage Homes. Since 1975, he has been building homes using environmentally friendly techniques. He is known for using such items as old tires and straw bales for walls.

Most of Paschich's houses are in the three-star to four-star categories and $350,000 to $750,000 price range. Paschich said Green building is worthwhile because it benefits the environment and offers long-term savings to the customer in the form of reduced utility bills. But the customer may realize little or no savings in construction costs. "People think tire houses should be less expensive," he said. "The cost of the tires can save 50 percent of the exterior wall cost, but then it adds 50 percent in the labor cost."

"I think we will be legislated into and forced into certain green uses in the future," said DiGregory. "It's the responsible thing to do as an industry. In 10 years, if you're not building green, you won't be building."

GAIL SUTTON IS AN ALBUQUERQUE FREELANCE WRITER.