A Green Home is one that is healthier, high performance, low maintenance and cost effective to run. Greater energy efficiency helps us make the most of our resources, reduces energy costs, decreases the need for more power plants and lowers our reliance on energy imports while reducing the emission of greenhouse gases and air pollutants.  Following are a few characteristics that will help you identify a green home or neighborhood.

Location:  Green homes and neighborhoods are not built on environmentally sensitive sites such as wetlands, farmland or habitats for endangered species.

Size:  While any size home can be green, the larger the home the more energy and resources it consumes.  A smaller size home will have less heat, air conditioning and lighting requirements and will be more sustainable.

Design:  The home should be situated on its site to bring the most natural daylight into the interior, thereby reducing the amount of lighting needed, and should take advantage of natural breezes.  The exterior should use the trees and vegetation, as well as canopies and screens, particularly on the southern and western exposures, to shade the home from the hot summer sun, yet allow heat to enter the home in cooler temperatures.  Dual glaze windows will reduce heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter.  The roof should be light in color to reflect heat and reduce absorption.

Insulation:  Should be non-toxic with a high R (heat resistance) factor.  Properly installed in floors, walls and attics, insulation and high performance windows will keep internal temperatures consistent by preventing cool air from leaking out of homes and hot air from coming in.  Advanced techniques for sealing holes and cracks in the home's "envelope", as well as the heating and a/c ducts improve comfort and air quality inside the home while lowering maintenance and utility costs.

Green Building Materials:  Construction materials such as low- and zero-volatile organic compound paints and sealants and rapidly renewable bamboo wood floors are used in a green home.  Materials should be non-toxic  or should have signficiant recycled content.  Would you believe carpet made from recycled plastic bottles!  And did you know that kitchen counters can emit formaldehyde?  A Green home will use cabinets that do not emit toxic material, with full extension drawers and may use quartz counter tops, another Green material.

Water Efficiency: A Green Home may have a rainwater collection tank.  Rain gutters guide rainwater to a tank and the collected water is used to irrigate lawns and flower beds.  Bathroom and toilet fixtures that conserve water are also another feature.

Efficient Products:  By equipping your home with ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances, light fixtures, compact flourescent bulbs, and ventilation fans you will have additional savings.

It seems to me that going Green is the only option and and an exciting one at that.  It reduces the cost of home maintenance and ownership by being more efficient, using less energy,  while protecting and preserving our environment...and looks beautiful.