Elizabeth Rogers, in her work the Green Book, points out that about 80% of new homes built are not energy efficient, when they could be.  

How could that be?

Also, not only are new homes not energy efficient; it is also that the homes are getting bigger.  The average size of a new house in the United States has increased from 1500 sq ft in 1970 to about 2300 sq ft today.  

Even more amazing is that the average American family has decreased from 3 people to little more than 2.  The average American house is now twice the size of a typical home in Europe or Japan, and 26 times larger than the average living space in Africa.  

That is shocking to me!

Energy inefficient bigger houses for smaller families, equals gigantic waste of energy and loss of money.  

Well, if you've read this far, I have a present for you: I am going to show you how you can save at least $1200 right off the bat.  

1.  Buy Energy Star appliances and electronics.  Households that use Energy Star products save up to $600 a year in energy costs.  

2. Install low-flow plumbing (or put a large water displacing object, like a brick for example, in the water tank).  This can reduce your water consumption by at least 45,000 gallons per year, and save you about $100.

3. Get ceiling fans and use them instead of running your air conditioning full-time.  Do the math: It costs one penny an hour to run a ceiling fan, vs. 16 cents an hour for a room air conditioner, and 43 cents an hour for central air.  Do it right, split it between fan and air conditioning and save at least $500 this summer.  

And the best part: By saving money, you help the environment.  

It couldn't get any sweeter.  

Douglas B. Garbe

Best of luck and go green.

Your green friendly eco-realtor.