A new report shows that 93 percent of home buyers aren't willing to pay more for green features when they buy a house. The report, an independent study commissioned by the New York Times Customer Insight Group, showed that buyers are excited about green features that can save them money, such as energy efficient materials. But if a sustainable feature of a house is going to cost them more without financial benefit, buyers don't want it.

Over half of the study's respondents said that energy efficient heating and air conditioning, windows, appliances and water systems were important to them. But expensive green features, such as building sensitivity to local environmental concerns or the use of green materials and recycled products were important to less than half of home buyers. Features requiring significant capital also received little interest from buyers — solar panels, for instance had little appeal.

While a reader may be initially discouraged by this report, the news is surprisingly good. Over half of respondents, after all, have seen a clear advantage for certain green features.

The report included information from buyers both in the New York metro area and nationally. The report is available as a PDF.

Photo —Sfadden