Green Home Improvements

"Green" is the new catchphrase used by environmentalists when speaking about changes that are better for the well-being of our planet. Even the most upscale and expensive homes are becoming environmentally friendly, as home builders discover eco-friendly products that are as useful and as beautiful as their former counterparts.

But how exactly can one go about making a home "green"?  What are some improvements you can make, or options you can select, to make your own home, whether existing or being built, more eco-friendly?

Start With The Windows

Many energy-consumption issues can be addressed with simple changes to conventional house design. Windows and sliding glass doors placed on opposite walls, for instance, will allow the sun to more evenly fill a room with light and eliminate contrast, which reduces the need for electrical light during the day. Windows also allow for natural air circulation, which reduces the need for heating and air conditioning.

Likewise, a glass wall can make a room seem larger, which reduces the need for McMansion-size family rooms and therefore the amount of resources required for building the home.  Many new homes are being designed with larger windows in most rooms; this is not only for the natural heating the sun provides, but also for aesthetics as well.  Many people enjoy the feeling of an open, airy room, and appreciate the natural breezes they can get with large open windows as opposed to using an air conditioner.

If you're designing your own home or are working with a builder, be sure to choose the largest windows possible, especially for rooms that face south, and especially if your climate is not hot and humid. South-facing windows provide the most light, and therefore the most natural heat throughout the cooler winter months. By opening your blinds and curtains early and leaving them open throughout the day, you can cut down on your heating needs significantly.

Use Renewable Building Materials

Do you want wood floors? Bamboo grows faster than most plants and is more environmentally friendly than more traditional oak or fir.  When choosing wood floors, ask about bamboo rather than these other materials. Often the price is about the same.

When it comes to countertop materials, granite and marble are beautiful. But stone-like materials can actually be made from recycled paper that is pressed and polished. Most consumers don't see a difference.  Ask your supplier about this, or about using slab remnants from other jobs to help reduce waste.  Often these are so numerous that you have your choice of colors and finishes, so you're really not sacrificing anything when it comes to options.

Water and Utilities

It is believed that the average home contributes more to greenhouse gases than the average car, simply because of the utilities used in the home. Gas and electricity are often produced by huge power plants that spew more pollution in the air per person than most cars.

Of course the best way to reduce this problem is to minimize your energy consumption, which sometimes is easier said than done. Older homes are typically somewhat drafty, even if they're high-end. It may be well worth your time and money to have an efficiency expert evaluate your house, checking the seals on all the windows and doors, a common place for drafts to get in – and heat to escape. Be repairing these, your winter heating and summer air conditioning requirements will be greatly reduced.

Water use is another factor that should be considered. Energy-saving and water-efficient appliances for the laundry room are readily available, so it pays to do some comparison shopping and perhaps upgrade your washer and dryer.  Many of the newer models are also large-capacity, meaning that you can do more clothes in fewer loads, which is also a big money saver!

Low-flow toilets and shower heads are also widely available. It pays to be mindful of your overall water consumption.  Do you take long hot showers on daily?  Consider giving yourself a time. Don't run the water when you brush your teeth, and be sure to teach your children to do the same. 

And don't forget to replace those inefficient incandescent light bulbs with CFL's (compact fluorescent light bulbs). CFL's use a fraction of the electricity and last far longer providing a savings on both energy and materials. Often these are available at reduced prices as a result of subsidies from local power companies.

Reduce Packaging

Excessive packaging is one of the largest factors in landfills today. Recently bottled water was named one of the worst products ever manufactured by some environmental watch groups, since it is basically tap water that is put in packaged containers. So, be mindful what you purchase and how they're packaged. Some high-end companies are encouraging their customers to recycle their packages.

What Was Once a Novelty is Now Mainstream

Green homes are positioned to move from the novelty fringes of the housing market to a mainstream product.  MKD, which up until now has built mostly one-off homes, is slated to put up around 45 homes in a townhouse development in San Leandro, Calif., and a 40-home project in Las Vegas. Another 42-home subdivision is being planned for Denver.

Mainstream property developers such as the Lennar Corporation, Centex Homes and The Grupe Company have also begun to emphasize green features in their homes, particularly as concerns about energy grow and housing sales slump. These companies say that homes with integrated solar panels have become status symbols and can sell for more, and faster, than homes without solar technology.

The mkSolaire, a two-story townhouse design, features lofts and a roof garden. The company's first home design, the Glidehouse, is designed after a home owned by an artist in the Pacific Northwest.

So if you're considering going green with your home, remember that you don't need to sacrifice luxury, comfort or convenience to be successful. With a few minor changes, you can be proud of knowing that you're doing your part to leave a beautiful and clean world for your children.