| There is no question about it. "Going Green" is in. | | | | Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) is the one-step of going |
| No matter where you are or what you do, you | | | | green that is the easiest to do. These may seem |
| have probably heard the buzz on global warming, | | | | three times as expensive compared to |
| conservation, or at least the words, "reduce, | | | | incandescent bulbs but last approximately ten |
| re-use, re-cycle". As neutral a topic as the | | | | times as long and use one-fifth of the energy. |
| weather, most people are interested in at least | | | | Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panels or Solar Heating: |
| discussing anything eco-friendly. In fact, nine out | | | | Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panels or Solar Heating |
| of ten Americans are interested enough to | | | | refers to the technology for harnessing solar |
| choose a more energy efficient home over a | | | | power or usable energy from sunlight for practical |
| lesser one, yet eight out of ten Americans said | | | | applications from heating to electrical power |
| no one talked about energy efficiency during the | | | | generation, usually good for domestic and light |
| buying process, according to a survey by | | | | industrial applications. |
| energypulse.org. Two out of three Americans | | | | Passive Solar Design: Passive solar building design |
| surveyed were also willing to pay a premium for | | | | involves the modeling, selection and use of new |
| homes that have solar systems installed. So for | | | | technologies to maintain the building environment |
| your next party conversation or your next | | | | at a desired temperature in a way that minimizes |
| real-estate foray, listed below are the most basic | | | | the use of energy. |
| of eco-friendly terms to be a savvy real estate | | | | Xeriscape gardening: Xeriscaping gardening is |
| buyer or just somebody "in the know": | | | | where plants are specially selected to suit their |
| A green home: A green home is designed to | | | | environment, creating a landscape that makes the |
| conserve the environment - whether it is energy, | | | | most of watering. Plants are grouped by their |
| water, building materials and land. Equipped with | | | | water needs, while mulch and drought tolerant |
| one or more renewable energy systems, a green | | | | plants are integrated to conserve water usage. |
| home uses alternative resources for heating and | | | | Low-emittance (Low-E) windows: L-E windows are |
| cooling - solar electric, solar hot water, | | | | coated with thin metal or metallic oxide layers, |
| geothermal, bio mass or any combination of | | | | which are almost invisible. These coatings reflect |
| these. | | | | radiant heat originating from indoors back inside, |
| Green remodeling: Green remodeling is an upgrade | | | | keeping heat inside in the winter, and infrared |
| where the goal for builders and architects is to | | | | radiation from the sun away, keeping it cooler |
| use as much as the older structure and materials | | | | inside in the summer. |
| as possible. A green renovation can cost 5 to 20 | | | | Geothermal heating/cooling: Geothermal heating |
| percent more than a normal one, however, it also | | | | cooling is a method of heating and cooling a |
| means that there will be reduced energy costs | | | | building, using the earth's temperature. Pipes are |
| and reduced maintenance costs durability. | | | | drilled deep into the earth, where temperature is |
| Greenhouse gases: Greenhouse gases such as | | | | around 55 or 60 degrees. Water, antifreeze or |
| water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous | | | | other transfer fluids are circulated and a heat |
| oxide and ozone allow sunlight to enter the | | | | pump uses these as a heat source in winter and |
| atmosphere freely, and trap the heat in the | | | | a heat sink in summer. |
| atmosphere instead of reflecting it back towards | | | | Now that you're at home on eco-friendly terms, |
| space. This causes temperatures to rise and form | | | | here are a few points again that you have |
| the atmosphere known as the Greenhouse effect. | | | | probably gathered. If you are looking for a green |
| Energy star appliances: Every one knows that | | | | home, it will always appear to be more expensive |
| energy star appliances save energy, but it is a | | | | compared to others. However, it is designed to |
| little known fact that it saves as much as 20% | | | | save your energy costs over several years |
| annually of your energy costs. These appliances | | | | besides giving you bragging rights. If you are |
| help you get the most out of the products you | | | | adding green elements to your home, it is a |
| purchase and also meet all the efficiency guidelines | | | | value-added upgrade. You will be able to add to |
| set to prevent greenhouse gas emissions. | | | | your asking price too since there is no question |
| Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL): Compact | | | | that "going green" is the movement of our times. |