Keeping Energy Efficiency in Mind, U.S. Homes are Getting Smaller

[Nathanael]

Interesting shift in consumer consciousness.


After a period in which new single-family houses seemed to grow exponentially every year, their size has started to decrease. The 2009 national average of 2,438 square feet is nearly 100 square feet smaller than the average for 2007, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

While uncertainty about the economy was one reason homeowners are spending less on houses, a big factor is a need to save on energy costs. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) expects this increase in energy-efficiency consciousness to continue.

Link: http://www.energyboom.com/emerging/keeping-energy-efficiency-mind-us-homes-are-getting-smaller

[zipplewrath]

1. Buyers remorse

Had a friend "move up" to a 3300 sqft place from 2200. I mentioned the energy costs, he said "it would be worth it". He's sorta back peddling now that the bills are coming in. Keeps trying to manage the energy costs. I think he was a bit shocked just how much it went up.

[madokie]

2. The last 15 years or so of my working life

I was in the concrete business and we placed and finished the concrete for thousands of new homes and I would be safe in saying not a hundred of them were smaller than 1500 square feet. I was saying then and I'm saying now that there is a time coming where those huge houses will be going for quarters on the dollar because not many will be able to afford the taxes or the utilities on them. I'm seeing some of them on the market now with some already empty falling into disrepair. Here in NE Ok we've not been hit by the economic downturn like many places have either.

[Javaman]

3. 1300 square feet here...

my house is smaller than my parent "Levit" house I grew up in on Long Island.

If my girlfriend and I could have found a smaller house, we would have.

Yes, I'm patting myself on my back. LOL