1. Home Design: A green home should be built on a site that is overflowing with natural light, this reduces the need for artificial interior lighting and allows for increased solar panel absorption if applicable. There are a number of different strategies that should be used to capture this light such as light monitors, clerestories, light shelves, windows, and skylights. On the outside you will want devices for shading including canopies, sunshades, green screens, and of course the natural shad solution – trees! On the western and southern facades widows and door ways are particularly important to block from the sun during the hot summer months. A dual-glaze window will reduce heat gain during the hot months and also promote heat retention in the colder months of winter. It is best to have a roof which is light colored like an Energy Star heat reflecting roof, or a landscaped “green” roof which will reduce the absorption of heat. You’ll also want a design that can easily grasp any prevailing winds.

2. Location: If you are building a new green home it musty not be on a site that is environmentally sensitive. Such locations include habitats of endangered species, wetlands, and premium farmland. The best sites include development areas that are “in-fill” type properties such as former malls, rail yards, factories, and parking lots. You will want to look for a development area which is compact, the median housing density of this area should be at least six homes an acre. You will also want to consider transportation, a home that is within walking distance to mass transportation such as train stations, bus stops, and light rails will give you a chance to help the environment by leaving the gas guzzler at home more often. A home that is in walking or cycling distance to daily errand runs is healthier for you and our environment.

3. Materials: An eco friendly home should be renovated or constructed with non-toxic, healthy building materials and interior decor. Use sealants and paints that contain either low (or better yet zero) volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and non-toxic sub-flooring materials like straw-board. Any wood based materials should come from sources which are rapidly renewable like tropical hardwoods such as bamboo. Remember if you are using these types of woods that they must be Forest Stewardship Council certified. A truly green homes uses a significant amount of recycled and salvaged materials.

4. Footprint: It doesn’t matter how many recycled and salvaged materials you use, a seven thousand square foot green palace will undoubty use more of the earths resources than its more humble two thousand square foot counterpart. More space means more air conditioning, heating, and lighting. Where not asking you to go without a den and library but remember big is definitely not better when going green.

5. Landscape: Yards should use drought tolerant low water consumption plants in place of grass and some of the more thirsty plants when ever possible. Green screens covered in vines, and big canopy trees can be used to reduce heat islands by shading the driveway, exterior walls, and patios.

6. Energy: An eco friendly home should generate as much of its own renewable energy as possible. Through technologies like photovoltaic solar electrical systems a green home an generate a substantial amount of its own power. Also insure that all of your appliances have the Energy Star rating. Your cooling, lighting and heating systems should all be energy efficient.

7. Insulation: A green home should make use of non-toxic natural insulation materials such as cotton or soybean with a high heat resistance factor for the roof and walls. This will reduce the leakage of cool air in the summer and vice versa during the winter.