Whether you're building a house from scratch or looking to increase the energy efficiency of your home, there are a number of things you can do to make your home more sustainable and green.

Buildings have an enormous impact on the environment. Their design, construction and operation account for more than 40 percent of energy used and pollution generated in the United States, according to the 2002 whitepaper by the U.S. Green Building Council. Typically, demolition construction debris accounts for 15-20 percent (in some places up to 40%) of municipal solid waste landfills. According to some estimates, as much as 90 percent of this waste could be reused or recycled.

Building green helps reduce negative impacts on environment and preserve the Earth's resources for future generations. Building green doesn't necessarily mean your home has to be more expensive or that you need to use alternative materials and methods. In fact, when you build green you can often reduce your overall expenses by using traditional materials in efficient and environmentally friendly ways.

Designing Your Home

Whether you prefer a traditional or modern look, design your home with materials that are friendly to the environment. 

• Use materials that are easily recyclable, reusable, renewable, durable, affordable and low maintenance.
• Maximize insulation, weather strip door openings and seal ducts.
• Install high-performance windows and energy-efficient appliances, and consider solar effects when locating windows.
• Choose high-efficiency (90 percent and higher) heating and cooling equipment with a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) of 14 or higher. Put in programmable thermostats to minimize energy use, especially when nobody is home.
  

Protecting Your Water Resources

Be mindful to conserve water and protect the water supply during and after construction.

• Control soil erosion during the building process. Be sure to manage run off and sedimentation so they do not affect storm water systems. 
• Design the landscape around the home to limit long-term water and energy use and preserve the natural enviornment. Minimize water-intensive landscaping, lawn areas and grasses and replace with native plant species.
• Select low-consumption or dual-flush toilets; low-consumption urinals; and low-slow lavatory, sink and shower faucets.  
  

 Recycling Construction Waste

 Throughout the building process, as well as after, be sure to recycle waste materials.

• During excavation, stockpile and reuse excavated topsoil.
• Collect shipping boxes, wood scraps, metal and other construction waste to recycle or sell for salvage.
• Buy, sell or donate used construction supplies. Check stores and websites for everything from insulation, windows and doors to tiles, appliances and more.
• When installing new carpets, choose those made from recycled materials and recyle your old carpets.
• Take used batteries, fluorescent bulbs, unwanted chemicals and paints to recycling or hazardous waste collection facilities.
• Include recyclable material storage areas.

 Putting Green Into Action

Simple changes are all it takes for you to be more environmentally friendly in your everyday life.

• Replace incandescent blubs with flourescent bulbs.
• Turn off unneccessary lighting fixtures, both indoors and outdoors. Install lighting timers or sensors to automatically turn of lights when not needed.
• In winter, lower the termostat a few degrees and put on a sweater. Close blinds in the summer and minimize cooking during the heat of the day.

Last Modified: Mar 28, 2009 10:16 PM