If you are in the market for a green home, there are several things that you will want to keep in mind. First, what is around your potential new home is as important an aspect to a green home as the features that help you consume less energy on a daily basis. If your home is in an area where you can walk to get everything you need, then it is much more likely to classify as a eco home than a house far in the country that requires long drives to get anywhere. By having everything that you need nearby, you will be able to save gasoline, time, and funding.
There is also a growing trend for people desiring a completely self-sufficient green home. These homes have large gardens that produce enough food to feed a small family without issue. They may be powered on solar energy or by a small water mill located directly on the property. However, they have one interesting thing in common: these green homes are off the power grid. By not being linked to the grid, they do not contribute to the growing problem of high energy consumption. For those who are truly interested in eco friendly houses, this may be the style of home desired.
If you want to be somewhere between the well located home and a self-sufficient house, you will want to look into an Energy Star home. These are e.g. energy homes and are designed to require as little energy as possible to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. By removing the need for as much heating and air conditioning, as well as using on the best of appliances, you can significantly reduce the amount of money spent on electricity. As you cut down the amount of electricity used, you can contribute to lowering the energy requirements for your area. The downside to this type of green home is that they can cost quite a lot to get set up. This extra investment does pay off down the road, however.
Owning a green home is not the only thing that you can do to help the environment. Purchase products that are certified as doing little damage to the environment when it was made. Purchase cleaning supplies that are biodegradable and do not cause lasting harm to the waterways and the life that lives in those waters. Boycott products that harm the environment. If you do your part by owning a green home, you can be a living example that it can be done without sacrificing comfort and ease of living.
Timothy Greensland