Thursday, February 19, 2009

Grants For Making A Green House

Building an energy-efficient home can be expensive.


Green houses are houses that are built or remodeled to be sustainable, energy efficient and long lasting. The materials, labor and design of many green house construction and remodeling projects can seem overwhelming, however. Fortunately, numerous grants are available from the federal government, and sometimes from state and local governments as well. Applying for a grant for a green house can alleviate the cost of the building. Does this Spark an idea?


Federal Grants


The government offers tax credits for green buildings.


Federal grants can be obtained by applying through different governmental departments. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists government and company grants on its website, including a grant from the Department of Energy offering financial assistance for the development of energy-efficient and green technologies. The federal government also offers tax credits on certain types of sustainable building projects, including the building of a green house. These projects must be certified by the U.S. Green Building Council.


Private Grants


The Home Depot offers grants to nonprofit home builders.


A number of private companies offer grants to groups and individuals building green houses. Enterprise Green Community offers grants and other forms of financing to builders who want to create green houses within a community. The Home Depot also offers grants, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. These grants go to nonprofit organizations engaged in responsible building practices and are awarded several times each year. Private grants can make a big difference.


State Grants


Many states offer grants for green building.


Many individuals looking to build a green, environmentally sustainable house will be able to find grants at the state level. The EPA lists a number of state grants, including a grant in Texas that offers rebates and loans to individuals building green homes. Oregon offers grants of up to $425,000 for a project that uses innovative and sustainable building practices. Check with local government agencies and energy departments to find out if grants are available.







Tags: offers grants, building green, green house, also offers, building practices, Environmental Protection