As in many industries today, the modular home category has tried to keep pace with the demand for environmentally-responsible options.  While the challenge lies in striking a balance between innovations in sustainable features with the realities of building costs, many modular home companies have been able to offer more homes with eco-friendly features. Following are some of the ways that modular homes can lessen the impact of housing on the earth, as well as help you save money and contribute to a healthier home environment.

The modular homes of today are models of energy efficiency.  With factory completion, a modular home leaves a facility ENERGY STAR ready and meets all guidelines for energy efficiency laid out by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  This rating means that these homes have been tested and have been found to be 15% more energy efficient than homes that are constructed to the most current International Residential code.  The features of these homes can include effective insulation materials, high-performance windows, tight construction and ducts, efficient heating and cooling equipment, and energy-efficient products, such as lighting fixtures, compact fluorescent bulbs, ventilation fans and appliances.  It also means these modular homes include additional energy-saving characteristics that make them 20-30% more efficient than a standard home.

Some ‘green’ modular homes also use recycled construction materials, such as re-purposed shipping containers, recycled steel, certified sustainably-harvested wood and recycled plastic compounds.  Some of these materials are even more durable than traditional construction supplies.  Using them also helps divert tons of waste from landfills and helps preserve trees.

In addition, the modular home manufacturing method is in itself a ‘green’ process by nature, in that it recycles materials, reduces material wastes and has a lower environmental impact on the job site where the home is assembled.

As both an energy-smart and environmentally-friendly place to live in, a modular home can provide more value, help you save money on heating and cooling bills, provide cleaner air and conserve resources for the planet’s future generations.