In late October, McGraw-Hill Construction, released The Green Homeowner SmartMarket Report, produced in conjunction with the National Association of Home Builders.

This report is intended to information homeowners about green building and the benefits. Below are the top six takeaways of the report.

* The market for true green homes is expected to rise from $2 billion to up to $20 billion over the next five years. A "true" green home is defined narrowly as a home that contains elements in three of five environmental building categories: Energy efficiency, indoor air quality, water efficiency, resource efficiency and site management.

* Standard homes are becoming increasingly green, with homeowners using green products for 40% of their remodeling work.

* Most Americans find out about green homes through word-of-mouth, followed by television and the Internet.

* Green homeowners are happy with their homes and are recommending them at rates significantly higher than recommendation levels of other industries.

* Homeowners are buying green homes because they are concerned about the health of their families, as well as to reduce energy and other home operating costs.

* Education and awareness of green ranks as the most important obstacles, slightly higher even than the additional first costs associated with building green.