Actually, any of the above would be a step in the right direction. Going green can mean anything from where and how you build a home to the appliances and materials you pick, to strategies for cutting water and energy waste.
It is possible to be a little bit green. Everything helps, even if you simply choose a floor of sustainable bamboo instead of Brazilian rain-forest cherry or a kitchen countertop of recycled glass tiles rather than marble or granite. Not only will you help the planet, but doing so often helps your own bottom line through lower energy bills and your home's potentially higher resale value.
As green as you want to be
The average household spends $1,500 a year on energy. A green-certified building, on the other hand, uses 32% less electricity, 26% less natural gas and 36% less total energy, says Taryn Holowka, spokeswoman for the U.S. Green Building Council. As energy prices rise, so do the savings.
You can begin just about anywhere, big or small, and many improvements can be done without breaking your bank. You could, for example:
• Reduce light pollution;
• Prevent pollution during construction;
• Maximize open space on your land;
• Collect rainwater for irrigation;
• Install renewable energy sources like a wind generator or solar panels;
• Cut energy use with insulation and a highly efficient furnace and appliances;
• Build storage for recyclables;
• Restore wildlife habitat;
• Build new while incorporating the walls, roof or floor of an older building;
• Buy products made of recycled materials; and
• Use certified (sustainably harvested) wood products.
You'll be happy to know that some of the best investments are also the easiest to implement. These four will give you the most return for the money spent:
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. They last seven or eight years and use less energy, saving about $100 per year in electricity. Cost: $2 and up.
• Install a timer on your lights and heating-and-cooling system so you can program your home to consume less energy when you're gone or sleeping. Cost: roughly $30.
• Put aerators on faucets to dramatically reduce water use. Find them at hardware stores for about $3 each.
• Caulk and weather-strip air leaks around windows, doors and other places where the wall is penetrated. Cost: Roughly $5 for a 10-ounce tube.
You can find additional easy ways to green your home
here.