NEW YORK — McGraw-Hill Construction, a part of The McGraw-Hill Companies, on May 12 presented the findings of its latest market research investigating “green” home building, according to South Mississippi’s Sun Herald. The report focuses on changes in green building activity between 2001 and 2007; the impact of the down market on green home building; opinions and preferences of builders for green materials and processes, and triggers and obstacles affecting green building expansion.

The major findings of the survey, which is co-sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders, include:

     — The residential green building market is expected to be worth $12 billion to $20 billion (6% to 10% of the market) this year.

     — In five years (2012), the market is expected to double to 12% to 20% market share, or $40 billion to $70 billion.

     — 40% of builders think green building helps them market their homes in a down market.

     — Quality has emerged in this down market as the most important reason for building green. Previously, builders were motivated by energy cost savings of green homes and doing the right thing, which still came in at number two this year. This is likely due to green home marketing and how it improves quality of life.

Read more.