1) Footprint: Reduce the size of your home. Your home design should be limited to only as much space as your family needs. This will keep your energy usage to a minimum right from the start.

2) Windows: Windows are a break in the thermal insulating barrier of your home. The higher quality window you choose the better performance the entire home will achieve.

3) Insulation: Even if you do nothing else, by choosing a superior building envelope for your home like structural insulated panels (SIPs panels) and/or an insulated concrete form foundation system (ICF), you will enjoy huge savings in heating and cooling your home (up to 50%-60% over a home without SIPs).

4) Passive solar design: By incorporating sunlight for lighting and heat and natural ventilation into the basic home design, you can reduce the size of mechanical systems and lighting in the home.

5) Heating system: Consider a renewable energy system to heat and cool the space and tap water in your home (solar, wind, geothermal).

6) Ventilation: Incorporate an air-to-air exchanger, or heat recovery ventilator (HRV) system into your home. This will replace stale air with fresh outdoor air while maintaining the temperature inside the home and conserving energy.

There are many other areas of the home that can be addressed to increase energy efficiency and save money over the life of your home. In the beginning stages of the home design, your green architect will discuss your opportunities to save money while providing a healthy environment for your family.

About the Author: Jeremy Bonin, a principal partner of Bonin Architects & Associates http://www.boninarchitects.com, is an award-winning green architect and the author of TIMBER FRAMES: Designing Your Custom Home. With a special interest in sustainable design and green homes, structural insulated panels (SIPs), as well as timber frame construction, Jeremy incorporates renewable energy practices where possible, including geo-thermal, solar, radiant heat, and energy-efficient foundation systems.

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Spray foam insulation is one product for your home that has recently gone green. Spray foam insulation begins as liquid polyurethane that is then sprayed onto surfaces, creating a protective, insulating barrier. Since the foam is initially liquid, it easily covers all cracks and holes in the wall, covering a more thorough area than fiberglass or cellulose.

This means that your house will be more climate efficient. The heat will stay trapped inside during the cold months and the cool air will stay in during the summer. Not only will the temperature of your house be more comfortable, but you’ll save energy on your heating and cooling.

The most common and inexpensive insulation used today is fiberglass. While easily applied and somewhat successful in climate control, it can pose numerous health risks. When touched with bare skin, fiberglass often causes redness and itchiness. The biggest risk comes with inhaling the small fibers that often break off and float into the air.

Sometimes practically invisible to the eye, these loose fibers are sharp and barbed. If inhaled, fiberglass can create scarring in the throat, which is thought to be one of the potential causes of cancer. And because it is often pink in color with an unusual texture, loose fiberglass chunks can be enticing to small children if unsupervised.

Although spray foam insulation is initially more costly than traditional fiberglass, the energy you save will eventually pay for itself, as well as the additional tax benefits that are available for homeowners who are able to document their green efforts. There is also the added bonus that homes with spray foam insulation sale for better rates on the market. So while it will be an investment, in the future your environmental concern will pay off.

Although energy saving is one of the primary environmental benefits of spray foam insulation, many companies derive their foam from renewable resources. By using renewable and recyclable resources, spray foam manufacturers contribute back to both the economy and the environment.

The foam is pest and moisture resistant, insects cannot penetrate the thick surface and neither can water, preventing both roaches and mold from sneaking into your home. So not only does it pose no health risks for you and your family, but it can help you to maintain a cleaner, more hygienic house. It is also versatile, able to insulate not only walls but ceilings and floors as well.

If you’re looking for a way to contribute to the environment while simultaneously lowering your energy bills and boosting the value of your house, spray foam insulation will help you achieve your goals. Find an insulation professional that can help you turn your house green.

Looking for more environment friendly insulation alternatives? Spray fiber and spray foam insulation are greener alternatives for your homes. Visit Apex Foam for ways to make your home green. http://www.apexfoam.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Stratton

If you’re selling your home and want an interesting way to attract buyers, promoting your home as environmentally friendly can help bring in offers. People are more environmentally aware these days, and anything that is seen as a “better choice” is popular. It stands to reason that if you go the ecological route, you might snag more offers.

- Shop Local for Tools and Supplies

Buy from local stores. If you can, patronize local manufacturers of furniture and other household items. Why pay for something that took a lot of fuel to transport when you can buy it locally? You’ll contribute to your community and help sustain the businesses of local people.

- Repair Instead of Replacement

Repairing and repainting will waste less material than buying a completely new item in many cases. Replace if you have to, but look at repair first. Most of the time, it’s cheaper, too.

- Buy Energy-Efficient Replacements

If you have to replace anything in your renovations, go for Energy Star qualified products. The website energystar.gov will show you a large number of appliances and equipment that are energy-efficient.

- Buy Recycled and Low-VOC Paint

If you’re repainting, check out the many options in environmentally-friendly and recycled paint available today. It used to be that paint was only available new, but now there are companies recycling unused paint and cans. Look for low amounts of Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in your paint, primer, adhesive,

- Lay Sustainable Floors

Putting down new flooring? Consider bamboo or another sustainable material. Be aware that not all homes are suitable for all types of materials and choose your floor accordingly. Make sure that any prospective buyers are aware of any special care the floor needs. Reclaimed wood is another option.

- Erect Sustainable Fencing

Bamboo fences can last up to 20 years and have an attractive look to them. Willow fencing lasts about 10 years and can be purchased in rolls that accommodate curves in a yard easily. Reclaimed wood is another option that will provide you with attractive fencing that lasts for years. There are also new options in recycled fencing available.

- Clean Green

Use “green” cleaning supplies. Many of them, like orange oil cleaners, leave a pleasant scent in the home. Baking soda is a great scrubbing powder that doesn’t give off noxious fumes. Don’t use room sprays; they don’t smell as great as the companies that make them tell you they do. Bake bread or burn a SMALL amount of essential oil to infuse the air with a pleasing smell.

- Think light

Install energy efficient lights and consider solar panels and strategically placed windows that allow you to make the most of the sun’s natural light.

These are just a few ideas to help get you started. Visit your local green store or environmental action group to get more ideas for your green home renovation.

For great information on the Atlanta real estate market and for incredible Midtown Atlanta real estate listings, visit RealSourceBrokers.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joshua_Keen

Let me just say first, hate to admit it but I am not an environmentalist, I don’t drive a hybrid and I’m not even good at recycling my own trash. I approach this as a real estate expert that has learned a thing or two and have been drawn to the green-side. If I could wave a wand right now, I would replace my cars with hybrids and have solar panels on my roof and cut my energy costs to zero. But I’ll have to take baby steps for now.

Going green when you purchase a home or remodel refers to buying or installing more energy efficient appliances, windows, lighting and generally saving resources, both yours and the planets. In the best case, installing solar panels or recapturing resources allows you to live cheaper and in some cases healthier. Many of these improvements can directly increase your homes market value or could be the difference in getting your home sold. A qualified appraiser can tell you in advance what improvements will add most value.

Here are some ideas that can save you money on energy costs and may add value…

Energy efficient appliances can lower your electric and water bills and can add real value if you sell or refinance. The monthly energy saving can even help recoup the cost of the appliance over time. Also, some energy companies offer cash rebates to further increase your savings.

Energy efficient furnace and air condition units. In some climates an air conditioner compressor can be running year round and having a new energy efficient unit with programmable thermostat can save big money and properly sealed ducts can make sure the air is going where it’s needed and most efficient. A balanced system will be airtight but allow for proper ventilation and allow unhealthy air out.

Dual pane e-rated windows save money, look and operate better and as an added bonus shut out unwanted noise from your neighbors or street noise. A good e-rated window will be cool to the touch even when it’s over 100 degrees outside. Some neighborhoods near airports have offered grants to help homeowners cope with noise.

Replacing conventional lights with fluorescent bulbs and exterior lights with solar powered can cut lighting costs by over 60%. Most conventional lights can be readily replaced with compact fluorescent lights aka CFL right away and many energy companies will offer full rebates to offset the cost. Also, there is less heat from fluorescent and thus less cooling costs.

Solar panels can be installed on the roof in sunny climates and actually make your electric meter stop or reverse during the day and then the stored power is used at night with a net zero cost. In homes I have appraised, owners have told me their electricity cost is between zero and $30 from a peak of nearly $300. There are government rebate programs, state programs and local power rebates bringing the cost down considerably and paying for itself. I will be installing these panels on my next house.

These next few ideas are becoming more popular. Concrete counter tops in the kitchen. They can look like granite and are poured & crafted on site with no quarry, no trucking, no factory and the raw costs are in the $30 range. My brother in-law did his kitchen with a beveled edge for $28 and it looked beautiful, he then did both bath’s with a 2″squared edge. I have seen many luxury homes and hotel lobbies with colored or stained concrete floors, looks good and is durable. Also, using renewable natural products reduces toxic formaldehyde used in many adhesives.

There are several outdoor projects as well. Wood decks can now be built with recycled plastics that last longer and are bug and weather resistant and is a renewable resource. I have seen them and think they look better than redwood decks because they are always in perfect condition, never weathered, twisted or rotted.

Drip irrigation vs. sprinklers helps drastically reduce water waste. In Las Vegas new homes are required to use drip irrigation and in fact, grass in front yards has been eliminated on virtually all new construction. Not the most pleasant looking to me but I get the point – there is only so much water in the middle of the desert and yard water typically uses more than all the total water used inside.

So, there you go. Just doing the research has won me over to be just a little more “green” in my thinking. You can improve your home, save money, live healthier and help the planet as a bonus.

Please call me if I can be of any appraisal service to you or your clients.

Appraiser/Author

Clifford Diamond, CREA

activerain.com/cdiamond

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Clifford_Diamond

Clifford Diamond – EzineArticles Expert Author

There are numerous ways that you can accomplish building your prairie plans house. The first and foremost item that most of us know about is starting with the use of energy efficient appliances. These specially labeled appliances use less energy for heating, cooling and the dispensing of water. The appliances also generate less greenhouse gas emissions which in turn lead to less air pollution. Not only are these energy efficient appliances better for the environment, they are also friendlier for your pocketbook. These special appliances can save the average household up to 30% on their electricity bill in one year.

Another way to save the environment might be less obvious to you and me. One of the best ways to build your colonial home plans into a green home is by reusing items that would have otherwise been considered waste materials. A good example of this is by recycled glass countertops. Not too many people know about these revolutionary countertops, but they don’t get much greener than these. These countertops are made out of waste glass, such as bottles and windows. The end result is a countertop that is extremely earth friendly. The glass isn’t porous, so you don’t have to worry about applying a coat of sealer. Nothing could be more innovative than one of these glass countertops.

One more way to make your ranch style home plans turn into your green home is to install a tankless water heater. A standard water heater continuously heats the water that the tank is holding regardless of whether hot water is needed or not. Not only is this using way more energy than is necessary, it is most likely contributing to your high utility bills. With a tankless water heater, water is heated only when the hot water is turned on. When the hot water is turned off, the water is no longer heated, saving a tremendous amount of energy.

No matter what are doing in your home to make it greener it is already helping the environment. Every little thing that each of does contributes to a healthier earth. Even if all you can do is to change out your regular light bulbs for a lower energy fluorescent light bulb, even that is a great attempt. When it comes to saving the earth, no attempt is too small.

If you are looking for a prairie plans house or colonial home plans be sure to visit House Plans and More for more information. House Plans and More also has a wide variety of ranch style home plans.

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