A major step in creating a healthy indoor environment is to eliminate or minimize the usage of products that contain volatile organic compounds or VOCs. VOCs can come from a plethora of products including paint strippers, lacquers, paints, pesticides, furniture, cleaning supplies, and building materials. The EPA has stated that the concentration of volatile compounds inside your home can be up to ten times higher than the exterior.

Healthy home environments should also be free of any allergy triggers. Carpeting is one of the major culprits as it is very difficult, even with a thorough cleaning, to remove dirt and dust. Using hardwood or laminate flooring when possible can cut down irritation from dust particulates and is easy to clean. Proper air ventilation can also cut down on allergens. To suck the contaminated air out and keep clean are flowing in it is important to install an adequate system of ventilation.

An exhaust fan in your kitchen or bathroom can greatly reduce the amount of bacteria, mold, and orders in the air. If you have a tightly sealed home you will also want to install a reversed fan to allow fresh air in. You may also want to consider installing an air filtration system to remove irritants such as pet dander, cigarette smoke, and mold spores.
Another good way to improve your family’s health and have a positive impact on the environment is to install a water filtration system on faucets that provide drinking water. These systems remove the same sediments and chemicals that bottled waters do but cost a lot less than purchasing bottled water and cuts down on waste and fossil fuel usage needed to manufacture bottled water.

So lets go over the basics, first off green energy is any form of power which can be used on a continuous basis and never be exhausted while leaving a minimal (if any) effect on the environment. Wind and solar energy are some of the most common and well known forms of green energy. In addition geothermal and hydroelectric green energy sources are becoming more common place.

Wind generated power is one of the oldest forms of renewable energy. One of the key factors in its success is the easy and direct conversion form the natural energy source to electric power. Today’s wind turbines are very effective and low maintenance electrical power solutions. Depending on your location wind based power can be your chief energy source, windmill systems are especially effective in wind belt states such as Texas with miles and miles wind farms in its open country landscape.

Solar power, while viable, is still very much in the development phases with significant advances being made daily. The future is very bright for sun based power, scientist are hard at work at making lighter and smaller solar collection panels. Future plans point to the possibility of collecting solar energy with a mere sheet of plastic wrap.

The collection of geothermal energy is some what more complicated. It is based on the fact the temperature deep into the earths center remains the same, with the use of thermal rods we can harness this energy to heat and cool our homes.

Hydroelectric energy can also be considered a green sustainable source in most cases. Done on a minimal scale, small hydro electric stations do not require much change to the ecological balance or landscape around the running water from which they draw their power. However large scale hydroelectric operation often require massive flooding of a large area to churn our sufficient power, leaving a detrimental and long lasting impact on the ecosystem it is stationed in. For the causal home owner a custom built hydroelectric system that takes power from the natural flow of a nearby body of water is the best bet.

Currently the US Department of Energy is conducting studies attempting to evaluate the entire situation. So far their reports indicate that within twenty years up to twenty percent of our electrical energy needs may be supplied by wind power. That will be a fifth of our electrical power needs derived from sustainable wind sources as early as the year 2030. In order for us to reach this benchmark by the year 2030 though, the Department of Energy must make a sound resolve to commit the appropriate investment into this technology.

We generate electrical energy from wind using a network of wind turbines. These turbines convert the constant blowing of wind into electrical energy by harnessing the natural force via a propeller style rotor or in some cases a slotted vertical cylinder. A generator creates electrical power by converting the motion of the wind moving the propeller or cylinder into electricity.

Residential installation of wind turbine systems is in place in 47 of America’s 50 states, the majority of them in the Northeast and Midwest regions. If you are a resident of Wisconsin you have a unique advantage, most of that state has consistent wind velocities ranging from 8 – 50 miles per our which is optimal for the generation of electricity.

These residential turbines are intended to work hand and hand with the local utility company. If the electricity generated by the turbine system is not sufficient at the moment the back up system supplied by the utility company will kick in to ensure you are never without power. In addition you can also profit from your personal wind turbine if you are producing excess energy by selling your extra electricity back to the utility company. How cool is that!

On the down side some people complain that the noise produced by wind turbines is a bit obtrusive and takes away from ones quality of life. I disagree and believe with the right turbine network design and location these systems are not a bother at all (think small turbines as far away as possible).

Its fairly easy to determine if your real estate is suited for wind based power. The typical full service installer will asses the landscape, due personal feasibility studies, help you apply for grants, apply for zoning, install the system, and provide maintenance. A list of recommended installers is available on our resources page.

The first step is to conduct an audit of sorts on your energy usage. Home energy experts from industry leaders say that the best place to begin is to identify potential areas of energy waste.

Much of the money that is spent on utilities bills comes from older electricity guzzling appliances that are not Energy Star complaint, poor insulation, holes in the exterior, leaks, etc. The best strategy for defending your wallet against these culprits is to focus on the five key rooms in your home: the laundry room, kitchen, bathroom, utility room, and the living room. These rooms tend to contain the most appliances or receive the heaviest traffic. A few simply changes like switching over to a programmable thermostat rather than a fixed dial to automatically control the interior temperature and washing clothes in cold water instead of hot if it is not absolutely necessary can save you upwards of five hundred dollars a year on your utility bill.

In the bathroom try changing your shower head over to a low-flow two and a half gallon per minute shower head. Combine the shower head with ten to fifteen minute showers and you could save an estimated $140 dollars annually just from the electricity saved on heating that water. The same goes for the laundry room, you really don’t’ have to wash everything in hot water. There are special detergents formulated to work well and cold water and produce the same results.
Leaky faucets in the kitchen can also cause wasted hot water so insure that all plumbing is in optimal condition. Also check the dial on your water heater, if its above 120 degrees your burning yourself and the environment!

In the living room and other heavy traffic areas consider changing standard light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs. Not only do they uses less energy but on average they also last ten times longer.
It doesn’t take much to become an Energy Star, a little effort and consideration can save ton for you and the environment.

One of the most cost effective ways to begin a design project is to get a clear understanding off all the options, fees, and overall vision for the project. Obtain architectural drawings and detailed project specs. Try to get a firm grasp of your over all objective and budget before starting any work. Remember not to over complicate things and brain storm on inexpensive simple solutions that will not require allot of hardware devices. Take advantage of the unique features of the sites location that can assist your goals and keep the long term vision of project in mind at all times.

Below is a list of some poplar techniques which you can enquire about:
Timber/Wood Framing
Alternative organic wall systems
Solar powered water heating
Photovoltaic Systems
Natural landscape and design integration
Alternative heating and cooling
Passive solar systems
Fluorescent lighting
Insulated Concrete Forms (IFCs)
Advanced energy efficient windows
Organic surface finishes

As you flesh out the details of the project you will begin to establish more accurate quotes from prospective vendors. Look at your budget and decide if this something you want to do all at once or if the project is better suited to take place in stages. Once you’ve received quotes weigh your options and contact references to make sure you make a well informed decision.

The last step is finalize supply choices such as flooring, windows, insulation, plumbing, solar equipment, etc. Then obtain architectural prints and permits from your service provider when your ready to create a building agreement/contract. Remember that every project and location is unique, beware of “boxed” solutions that can often balloon in size.

With solar systems it is important to know exactly what you are purchasing and how this particular solution generates electrical power. The key component to these systems are the photovoltaic solar cells which are networked together to create individual electricity panels or modules.

The panels then pass the electricity produced through a power inverter which changes the voltage form AC (Alternating Current) to DC (Direct Current) which is usable by the utility grid and your household appliances. If the solar system is going to act as the chief power source the system may also include batteries to store back up power in case there is a power outage or abnormally long period of low sunshine.
A newer method of implementing solar systems utilities photovoltaic shingles which replace their normal asphalt counter parts. Advances in this technology have lead to a sharp cost reduction in recent years, you can even integrate the solar powered shingles for a unique and modular solution. If you live in a particularly sunny environment you should definitely consider photovoltaic shingles.

Research shows that the costs for solar panel systems under ten kilowatts created in 2006 and 2007 ranged from $7.50 per watt in areas such as Arizona, New Jersey, and California up to $10.50 in places like Maryland. Experts find that larger module deployments over a wide area provide the best investment to cost ratio.

Faulty plumbing is really annoying and costly. Keeping your plumbing in optimal shape will stop wasted water and your hard earned cash from going down the drain. An estimated 12.5 gallons of water used by households in the U.S. daily can be attributed to the homes leaky faucets, pipes, and toilets. A leaking toilet can actually use upwards of 74 gallons in a 24 hour period, twice that for a running toilet. A simple plumbing repair job now may save you hundreds over time.

Adding a water filtration system to your faucets can also help the environment immensely by reducing the waste produced by bottled water and is very cost effective. Throughout the world an estimated 37 billion plastic water bottles are disposed of annually. Using home filtered water can help combat dependency on the fossil fuels used to produce bottled water. There are over 16 million barrels of crude oil used every year for manufacturing bottled water plastics alone.

You may also want to consider your homes own personal water recycling plant known as a Grey-water system. These systems recycle excess water used by dishwashers, faucets, and washing machines for other purposes that do involve human consumption. This has the added benefit of easing the load on your local sewage system too.

When it comes to the foundation of your plumbing system, epoxy lining can provide a green alternative to traditional metal piping. Epoxy pipe lining systems are easier to maintain, take less piping to cover a similar area, and are on average less expensive. In the long run you will also enjoy the benefits of epoxy’s corrosion resistance, greatly reducing the need for pipe replacement.

The key factor when dealing with a contractor is to have them layout all of the available options to you, from organic insulation to low VOC paints, there are tons of ways to design with a green mind. Don’t let anyone sell you on a “boxed” solution to living green, its not about how many green products a contractor can incorporate into his bid but about how you can affordably and continuously maintain the selections you make. When it comes to cost, there are instances where greener materials will increase your budget when compared to there standard counterparts but there are many that are more affordable or cost the same. Don’t stress yourself, work within your budget, and be creative. Something as simple as painting a highly trafficked area with brighter light reflecting color will reduce the cost of lighting and brighter color paints tend to contain less harmful chemicals.

As the world at large is becoming more conscious of preserving our communal home, earth, green products are becoming more readily available and affordable. Just about every major manufacturer of paint offers a low VOC line which tends to be cheaper as well, often below two dollars a gallon. A new low-flow shower head is also a great way to save when remodeling your bathroom, and taking a shorter shower doesn’t cost a thing. Make decisions that you are comfortable with and remember there is no right or wrong way to do an eco friendly renovation.

Living green is a state of mind and ongoing thinking process, make improvements in areas where you are OK with some compromise or in areas where there is no compromise (just an informed choice in purchasing materials). Collectively the United States spends in excess of $150 billion a year in home renovations and remodeling. Focusing just a little of this revenue on environmentally conscious construction will yield untold benefits to your health and our environment.

You should strive to only use paints that are water based instead of petroleum and those that contain little or no VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Many VOCs are carcinogens and may cause health problems such as headaches, dizziness and irritation of the nose, throat, and eyes. In some case these chemicals can even cause impaired vision and memory. Thanks to the recent cooperation of paint manufacturers there a lot more low VOC paints to choose from and consumers can be easily informed about possible health risks. Remember to inquire about VOCs both before and after pigmentation if ordering a custom color. Many pigments contain VOCs, especially in dark richer colors.

Recommended brands include AFM SafeCoat and Mythic Paints which both offer lines that are found to contain zero VOCs. Among other brands latex based paints tend to contain fewer VOCs than oil-based paints which should be avoided if possible. If you must use oil-based paint for breath-ability and elasticity try to minimize the surfaces you cover with it.

Remember an easy way to paint green is to carefully plan out your project and not buy more paint than you need, also buy high quality durable paints that may cost more initially to save on the cost of repainting the same area year after year. To improve energy efficiency choose bright colors for heavily trafficked areas. The natural reflection of light will cut down on your need for artificial lighting.

The first place you should focus your insulation efforts is the attic, open drafty spaces above promote overall heat loss in the home. Basements are also key, if you have an unfinished basement be sure to thoroughly insulate it’s ceiling to isolate this open environment from the rest of your home. The DOE (United States Department of Energy) website provides detailed guidelines regarding insulation measurements and materials. When consulting with a contractor remember that insulation materials with high R-values provide greater resistance to heat transfer. Insulation in the attic should be at least R-30 and standard walls should be R-15 or greater.

In the basement one should insulate with rigid foam boards. You should avoid using materials like cellulose or fiberglass for the basement particularly because of the high moisture levels that may damage these materials. If the basement has a crawl space you should use six millimeter thick polyethylene sheets for the floor/ground to protect against moister. In general it is better to insulate crawl spaces opposed to ventilating them.

In general there are four basics types of standard insulation and a plethora of organic insulation materials. Standard insulation materials include batts or rolls, loose fill insulation, blankets, and rigid foam. Most loose fill insulation is composed of fiberglass, cellulose, or rock wool. This type of insulation should be used to fill areas where it is difficult to lay sheeted insulation. Rigid foam is a very effective, though some what expensive insulation material. Rigid foam really works well in places such as the attic and basement that require higher R-values. Foam can be blown into the crevices of walls to dramatically decrease air leakage.
Organic sustainable and renewable insulation materials include old denim, recycled paper, hemp, and even mushroom spores.

Organic materials do not usually have the same high R-values as their fiberglass counterparts but when used in the correct quantities they can provide the same level of insulation and save the environment from fossil fuel usage needed to manufacture other types of insulation. Some of the highest R-rated organic materials include soil, softwood, dry saw dust, and straw.