| If you happen to be looking for a green home or | | | | shading devices like sunshades, canopies, green |
| eco-friendly dwellings, you might be confused on | | | | screens and trees to help you control the amount |
| how to determine if it is truly green. What are the | | | | of sunlight that comes inside. Dual glaze windows |
| qualifiers for a green home? Here is a checklist | | | | lessen the heat during summer season and heat |
| that will guide you in determining the features of a | | | | loss during winter. The roof must have |
| green house and the benefits you can get when | | | | eco-friendly features like light-colored, high |
| you live in it. | | | | reflector of heat or a green (landscaped) roof. |
| Area: Green houses and communities should not | | | | Eco-friendly construction materials: A green house |
| be on environmentally sensitive locations such as | | | | should use healthy and non-toxic materials and |
| farmland, wetlands and endangered animals | | | | furnishings. If you use wood in some areas, make |
| surroundings. The ideal sites are "in-fill" properties | | | | sure they come from renewable sources like |
| like previous parking lots, rail yard, shopping mall | | | | bamboo. It is recommended to use eco products |
| and factories. Choose a location wherein public | | | | since they are made of mostly organic and |
| transportation such as bus lines, light rail and | | | | recycled components. |
| subways systems are accessible. In this way, you | | | | Energy Efficient Appliances: As much as possible |
| can leave your car at home. It must also be near | | | | use appliances and devices that have energy |
| the park, school and stores. Everything must be | | | | saving features, you start from your lights, |
| reachable as possible so that you can just ride on | | | | heater, cooler and other necessary tools. Some |
| your bicycle if you need something. It will not just | | | | of them might be costly, but it is a worthy |
| save you from fuel; it is a healthy activity as well. | | | | investment. |
| Dimension: Keep in mind that if the lot is big, it | | | | Front Yard Landscape: Your landscape plays a big |
| requires greater heating, air conditioning and | | | | role in the external appearance of your house. |
| lightning. And this is like spending double on your | | | | You want to make it look very appealing. When |
| electricity bills. A smaller house will allow you to | | | | you choose ornaments and plants, be sure to |
| save more energy. Though it does not have to | | | | place it in such a way that it will help minimize |
| be very small, just enough to accommodate you | | | | heat islands. The plants you use must withstand |
| and your family. | | | | the droughts. |
| Infrastructure Design: Your house must be | | | | Choosing a green house can have a lot of things |
| situated in an area that can take advantage of | | | | that must be considered. But the advantages that |
| the natural daylight. In this way, you can minimize | | | | you can get and the act of helping the |
| the use of lighting requirements and make use of | | | | environment are much more than price of the |
| the coolness of the air. Make use of the parts of | | | | house. |
| your house to bring light inside. You must have | | | | |