How to Go Green With Building Houses

Orientation on the Lot

• Look carefully at how the sun travels across the lot so you can orient your house to take advantage of the sun's heat during winter and diminish its effect during summer. If you plan on installing solar panels, understanding how the sun moves across your lot is critical. Examine the lay of the land. You may be able to build your home into the earth, which can help keep the temperatures in your home more level. Find a builder who constructs homes using green principles and materials. Be sure to carefully read any covenant agreements before purchasing your lot, just to be sure your green construction techniques are allowed.

Consider Size

• Carefully plan the number of rooms you need. For example, a den can do double duty as a guest room. Question whether a formal dining room or second living room is really necessary. While a laundry room near your bedroom might be convenient, it might be more efficient if it's a part of a mudroom near the garage. Of course, families with more than one child will need three or more bedrooms and play areas, but those without children should think seriously about building smaller. Not only will you save on energy costs, you'll require less in the way of cleaning products.

Construction Techniques

• If at all possible, install a solar energy system. If your area gets enough sunshine, you might even become energy neutral during parts of the year, meaning you don't use any electrical power from the grid. Geothermal heating and cooling is another option to consider. Purchase the highest efficiency furnace and central air conditioning unit you can afford. And while it may seem basic, ensure that your home is properly insulated for both summer and winter. Cellulose insulation, which is made of plant fiber and not fiberglass, offers a green choice. Windows are a big enemy of energy conservation. Install windows with high levels of insulation and purchase the most energy-efficient windows you can afford.

Finishing & Appliances

• It's become much easier to avoid using paint, carpet, tile, varnish and other finishing materials that contain volatile organic compounds. This will eliminate many of the chemicals some people find irritating and even harmful. Wood floors, carpet made of wool, and linoleum instead of vinyl flooring are also all green choices. When purchasing appliances and home electronics, look for the Energy Star labels. The Energy Star program was established by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. To qualify for the program, appliances must meet strict efficiency requirements. The program rates more than 40,000 products in 60 categories.

Landscaping

• When planning your landscaping, do research on the type of landscaping that's natural for your region. Bluegrass, for example, isn't well suited to every region of the country. Instead, plant a type of grass that grows well in your area with minimal watering. Landscape with native plants that are resistant to insects, so you can avoid spraying as much as possible. Pay close attention to how water flows across your property. Take what you see into consideration and perhaps add a pond in an area that's always wet or low-maintenance landscaping in an area that's normally dry. Proper placement of trees can provide cooling in the summer.