| hnology, modern materials and environmental | | | | inside can pose serious health risks for residents, |
| impact studies have made today's home plans | | | | including cancer and respiratory ailments like |
| embrace what is known as "green building'. The | | | | asthma. Children, too, are not exposed to toxic |
| result is that architects, designers and builders are | | | | chemicals in a green home. Such non-toxic |
| starting to incorporate more green features into | | | | materials include wheat-derived strawboard, |
| their new homes. Thanks to new products and | | | | natural linoleum made from jute and linseed oil, |
| some very creative new ideas, consumers can | | | | paints with little or no volatile organic compounds |
| build their dream home without sacrificing | | | | and toxin-free insulation made from soybeans, |
| aesthetics. However, although consumers may be | | | | recycled paper or even old denim. |
| learning more about green building, many are still | | | | Allergy suffers have far fewer problems with |
| confused as to exactly what it all means. Some | | | | mold or mildew with green homes. |
| of the immediate benefits to using green house | | | | An Environmentally Friendly Home |
| plans are living in a healthier, more cost-efficient | | | | There is less of an environmental impact when |
| and environmentally friendly home. The examples | | | | building green homes because far fewer natural |
| below may help inspire you to incorporate green | | | | resources are used in the construction. Many |
| building into your own dream home. | | | | green building materials rely on significant recycled |
| Save Money In the Long Run | | | | content. Some companies, for example, now |
| There's help with financing. Local, state and federal | | | | make carpets and floor tiles from recycled tires |
| governments are increasingly offering tax breaks | | | | and bottles. Green homes can also be constructed |
| and other incentives for building LEED homes or | | | | with salvaged materials from demolished buildings. |
| adding green features to your home. | | | | Your house plans may call for materials made |
| Studies show that month to month, people who | | | | from rapidly renewable materials, like bamboo, |
| live in green homes save money by consuming | | | | hemp, agrifibers and soybean-based products. The |
| 40% less energy and 50% less water than | | | | use of wood that is certified by the Forest |
| standard homes. That adds up to big savings over | | | | Stewardship Council helps promote socially and |
| the years. | | | | environmentally beneficial forestry practices. |
| Find a professional familiar with green-building | | | | Advances in technology and new discoveries have |
| techniques who will save you money and can | | | | helped to green homes further reduce our |
| ensure you're getting the best-quality work | | | | dependence on conventional energy sources as |
| possible. If upfront costs seem a little higher, it | | | | they generate some or all of their energy needs |
| may be because many architects, homebuilders, | | | | through alternative energy sources like the sun, |
| engineers, plumbers and other industry | | | | wind, geothermal energy and biomass. |
| professionals just don't have the knowledge or | | | | In keeping with the idea of less impact on the |
| experience to cost-effectively plan, design and | | | | environment, green homes are more prone to |
| build a green home. Remember that the value of | | | | use energy saving appliances and devices. |
| a green home is typically higher than that of a | | | | Residential cooling and heating alone make up 20% |
| comparable standard home, and the market | | | | of the United States' yearly energy use. Throw in |
| demand for green homes continues to rise. | | | | household lighting, appliances and other electronic |
| A green home is more durable than most | | | | equipment, and homes are clearly a major source |
| standard homes because of its high-quality building | | | | of energy consumption. Green homes use 40% |
| materials and construction processes, requiring | | | | less energy than comparable standard homes. |
| fewer repairs and less repair bills. | | | | Efficient plumbing and bathing fixtures, |
| A Healthy House | | | | drought-tolerant landscaping and water-conserving |
| Green homes offer natural ventilation, as well as | | | | irrigation systems help green homes use, on |
| the use of mechanical ventilation systems to filter | | | | average, 50% less water than standard homes. |
| and bring fresh air inside and vent stale air outside. | | | | Incredibly, construction of a green home |
| This helps keep residents breathing easy. | | | | generates 50% to 90% less construction waste. |
| The growing use of toxin-free building materials | | | | Whereas building a standard 2,500-square-foot |
| helps combat indoor air pollution, which can be | | | | home creates approximately 2 tons of |
| much worse than outdoor pollution. Unhealthy air | | | | construction waste that ends up in landfills. |