In the News

As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, we look back at history of Earth Day and the effects this movement has had on the homebuilding industry.

According to EarthDay.org, the first Earth Day was a unified response to an environmental crisis that included oil spills, smog, and polluted rivers around the world. In 1970, millions of Americans came together to protest the ignorance and demand a new way forward for our planet. This launched the modern environmental movement, which led to policies such as The Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts, as well as the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

As demand grew for single-family, suburban living across the United States, so did the negative impact on the environment. Unfortunately, homes and buildings are now among the top contributors to carbon emissions and climate change alongside motor vehicles. Because of this, many of the nation's top homebuilders strive for ways to reduce the carbon footprint of homes by using green building practices, which eliminate waste and utilize renewable technologies. 

New Home Certifications like EPA Indoor airPLUS and EPA WaterSense further distinguish energy-efficient, sustainable homebuilders throughout the country and put an emphasis on Resource Conservation and Indoor Air Quality. Many homebuyers in the market today don't realize the health effects of poor Indoor Air Quality in their current home. 

Homebuilders like Tim O'Brien Homes use advanced building systems to offer healthier living by protecting homes from carbon monoxide, harmful Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), combustible gases, dust and animal proteins, and even pathogens like COVID-19 that can lead to serious respiratory and nervous system issues. Some of these building systems include Contaminant Source Control, Fresh Air Systems, and High-Capture Filtration. As a result, these High Performance Homes help you breathe better and keep the bad stuff out.

This year, as we all come together and stay #SaferAtHome to fight the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic, Earth Day reminds us that the homes we live in can have a huge impact not only on our planet, but also our personal health! If you're interested in learning more about Tim O'Brien Homes' Green Building Practices, click here.