Did you know that 63 percent of low-income homeowners in Columbus are paying more than 50 percent of their income on rent alone? And this does not include utilities. This staggering number is a major concern for homeowners. Thankfully, Habitat for Humanity, an Ohio organization, is ready to help. If you are moving to Columbus this winter, choose a home that has been built by the organization themselves.

Habitat for Humanity is showing low-income families how going green can build self-sufficiency. They are constructing homes in the Franklin County area that focus on conservation resources, consciousness, and energy efficiency.

President and CEO E.J. Thomas says, “It’s their priority to help families succeed in every way possible and a big part of that is ensuring there is enough money available to meet their basic needs.” By building homes that are energy efficient, more dollars are being saved in homeowners’ pockets – a concept that Columbus movers believe is long overdue for helping these families out, but are more than happy to relocate families in need to housing that can help them save!

So how exactly are they accomplishing this? It is called the AWARE building standards. Columbus homes must meet the following standards in order to be considered energy efficient.

• The first inspection is for the air infiltration package. This inspection is to make sure that all cracks, crevices, voids, etc. have been sealed properly, as well as the sealing of the ductwork, prior to installing insulation.
• The second is the insulation inspection to verify that all insulation has been installed properly, prior to installing drywall.
• The third inspection is a final AWARE inspection. As with a final building inspection, they are making sure that what was specified early on has been installed. This includes Energy Star appliances and light fixtures, low-water-consumption fixtures, and high-efficiency HVAC equipment.

Moving to Columbus and choosing an energy efficient home can greatly impact your finances. Check out these great “Green” homes today and remember your local Columbus movers on moving day!