| SUMMARY | | | | An Environmentally Friendly Home |
| Having a greener, more earth friendly home is the | | | | • Residential cooling and heating alone make up |
| best thing you can do to reduce your carbon | | | | 20% of the United State's yearly energy use. Throw |
| footprint and save money at the same time! Making | | | | in household lighting, appliances and other electronic |
| your home a greener place is a commitment – to | | | | equipment, and homes are clearly a major source of |
| yourself, your family, your community, and to the | | | | energy consumption. Most of that energy comes |
| world. A green home uses less energy, water and | | | | from greenhouse gas producers like oil and coal, |
| natural resources, creates less waste and is healthier | | | | contributing to global climate change. Green homes |
| for those living inside and outside. | | | | use 40% less energy than comparable standard |
| BODY | | | | homes. |
| A home can be built green, or you can make it green | | | | • Some green homes further reduce our |
| later. A green makeover can happen all at once, or it | | | | dependence on conventional energy sources as they |
| can be a gradual process. But what it all comes down | | | | generate some or all of their energy needs through |
| to is a new way of thinking – and a new way of | | | | alternative energy sources like the sun, wind, |
| living. From a more energy-efficient kitchen to a | | | | geothermal energy and biomass. |
| tree-filled backyard paradise, your home can be | | | | • Efficient plumbing and bathing fixtures, |
| green from top to bottom, front to back, inside and | | | | drought-tolerant landscaping and water-conserving |
| out. And it doesn’t matter whether you rent or | | | | irrigation systems help green homes use less water |
| own, live in an apartment or single-family home, live in | | | | than standard homes. |
| the city, the suburbs or the country. | | | | • Far fewer natural resources are used in the |
| There are many very real benefits to living in a green | | | | construction of a green home. Many green building |
| home, and every day, more and more Americans are | | | | materials have significant recycled content. Some |
| discovering those benefits. Green homes are | | | | companies, for example, now make carpets and floor |
| healthier, more durable and more cost-effective. | | | | tiles from recycled tires and bottles. Green homes |
| That’s why green homes are expected to make | | | | can also be constructed with salvaged materials from |
| up 10% of new home construction by 2010, up from | | | | demolished buildings. Green homes use materials |
| 2% in 2005, according to the 2006 McGraw-Hill | | | | made from rapidly renewable materials, like bamboo, |
| Construction Residential Green Building Smart Market | | | | hemp, recycled plastics, agrifibers and soybean-based |
| Report. Owning or renting a green home is good for | | | | products. And the use of wood that is certified by |
| your health, your wallet and our environment. | | | | the Forest Stewardship Council helps promote socially |
| Beyond the health and environmental benefits of | | | | and environmentally beneficial forestry practices. |
| living in a green home, many local and state | | | | • Building a standard 2,500-square-foot home |
| governments, utility companies and other entities | | | | creates approximately 2 tons of construction waste |
| across the country offer rebates, tax breaks and | | | | that ends up in landfills. Construction of a green |
| other incentives for adding eco-friendly elements to | | | | home, however, generates very little if no waste at |
| your life. | | | | all. |