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2011 Residential Water-Efficiency Study

In April 2011, the NAHB Research Center fielded one of its periodic web-based Omnibus Survey of Builders & Remodelers, which was completed by 365 active builders and remodelers. As part of the survey, the Research Center partnered with EcoHome magazine to incorporate questions on residential water efficiency, covering topics such as water-efficient construction practices and green home building. The findings were referenced by EcoHome's editor-in-chief, Rick Schowolsky, in the magazine's May issue on water.

On water efficiency, the study found that builders focused the majority of their water-conserving efforts on the interior of the home. Low-flow faucets, showerheads, and toilets were installed by more than 80 percent of those who consider themselves water-efficient builders, while fewer than 10 percent made use of greywater reuse systems. Fewer than 10 percent claimed their primary focus was on exterior water conservation; of these, more than half used water-efficient irrigation and landscaping. As expected, water conservation was considered a bigger current issue in the West, but builders from all regions of the country believed to about the same degree that water conservation will be a major issue in the future everywhere.

When respondents were asked about green home certification programs, the findings indicate that the majority believe themselves to be "green" home builders or remodelers, but only a small percentage are currently seeking some sort of third-party green certification of their homes. This underscores a growing opportunity for those who are building green to set themselves apart in their markets by becoming active in a third-party certification program.

The full set of tabulations from this study is available. Contact Ed Hudson, NAHB Research Center Director of Marketing Research, with any questions about this or other survey research.