| Whether you are thinking in terms of a simple | | | | and maintenance, and are both water- and termite- |
| cottage or a luxury home plan, you should think | | | | resistant. By increasing the quantity and R-value of |
| seriously about how to design your home to make it | | | | insulation, energy can be saved and heating and |
| green. Green construction is not only wise in terms of | | | | cooling expenses reduced. Sprayed foam insulation is |
| being environmentally-friendly and conserving scarce | | | | an economical alternative to glass-fiber batting. By |
| resources, it is also often the most economically and | | | | utilizing prefabricated components such as trusses |
| aesthetically sensible design solution. Let's take a look | | | | and pre-hung windows and doors rather than cutting |
| at some things which go into making a green home, | | | | wood at the job site, money is saved and much |
| starting from the bottom and working upwards. | | | | waste is reduced. Also, factory-built components |
| In green construction the foundations should be as | | | | make the most efficient use of every piece of cut |
| well-insulated as the walls in the living spaces. This | | | | lumber. By using wood-composite or recycled plastic |
| makes for more efficient conservation of home | | | | lumber materials in building, you can reduce |
| energy and increased comfort, especially if the | | | | dependence on chemically-treated lumber or durable |
| basement is to be used as a bedroom or family | | | | hardwoods for porches and decks. Oriented stand |
| room. Choices for flooring, besides natural wood, | | | | board is a manufactured wood product which doesn't |
| include laminates which mimic scarce hardwoods; | | | | require felling large trees, and which enhances the |
| linoleum which is a natural product and which is again | | | | durability of walls and roofs. |
| becoming popular; and low volatile organic compound | | | | Green custom house plans make use of the new |
| carpeting, which makes for better air quality indoors. | | | | energy-efficient refrigerators and freezers available |
| Heating and cooling equipment should be selected for | | | | today. These appliances have more powerful |
| efficiency and economy. Tankless water heaters give | | | | compressors, better insulation, more accurate |
| on-demand hot water at a temperature which can be | | | | temperature control, and better door seals than older |
| preset, rather than storing hot water, which greatly | | | | designs. Front-loading washing machines use half the |
| reduces standby energy losses. In areas with mild | | | | water and energy of top-loading models. Appliances |
| winters, heat pumps are an increasingly popular | | | | rated Energy Star save on average 30% of the |
| solution for both home heating and cooling and also | | | | energy of standard models. New toilet designs have |
| water heating. | | | | tanks and bowls which use less water, but are more |
| Architectural house plans should incorporate passive | | | | efficient than the older models. Sink and shower |
| solar features such as large windows facing south, | | | | faucet aerators give an even flow of water |
| which help heat the house in winter as well as | | | | irregardless of the pressure, which reduces water |
| allowing increased natural light into the house by day. | | | | use and the energy which heats it. Roof coverings |
| Windows which incorporate low-emittance glass | | | | such as fiber cement or steel are more durable than |
| coatings or gas fillers between layers help to keep | | | | traditional materials, and reduce the maintenance over |
| heat inside the house in winter and outside the house | | | | time. Light colors reflect heat, which reduces the cost |
| in summer. Modern siding materials such as vinyl and | | | | of cooling in warmer climates. |
| fiber cement siding save money on both installation | | | | |