The green revolution is slowly making its home in the construction industry. With Global warming and environmental issues becoming common knowledge it is important to adapt good"Green Habits" in our home as well. It is important to become more aware of what we can do to build a Green Home from the ground up. Here are a few ideas to make your new home more green Friendly.
Increase energy efficiency
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is the foundation of any green building project.
To create a greener home you can start with your heating and cooling and make sure you are using a High SEER/EER air conditioning unit and high efficient furnace or heating system.
Try using Fluorescent light bulbs and make sure that there is advanced sealing and caulking to reduce drafts. If you add 2 x 6 wall framing with increased insulation with an insulated foundation your home will have an excellent start to being Greener friendly.
Consider using some of these products
• Engineered lumber - OSB, wood I-joists
• Recycled newsprint cellulose insulation
• Water-conserving plumbing fixtures
• Fiber-cement siding and trim
• Recycled-content decking
• Recycled-content carpet
• Treated wood that does not contain arsenic or chromium
Consider offering some or all of the following as part of an Indoor Air Quality Package:
• Formaldehyde-free insulation
• No or Low-VOC paints
• Solvent-free wood finishes
• Less-toxic adhesives
• Natural linoleum instead of vinyl flooring
• FSC-certified wood or bamboo flooring
Instead of carpet
• Sealed particle board in cabinets and counter tops
Install On-Demand Hot Water Circulation Pump
An on-demand hot water circulation pump can send hot water to fixtures in seconds; without wasting water while waiting for it to get hot. It uses a pump to rapidly move water from a water heater to fixtures. It stops when water reaches a pre-set temperature.
Install Water Filtration Units at Faucets
Insulate Hot and Cold Water Pipes
By Insulating water pipes you can reduce heat loss or gain in the pipes while the water is standing.
Install Ultra-Low-Flush Toilets
New high-efficiency toilets use 1.6 gpf (gallons per flush) or less. Some manufacturers offer dual flush toilets.
Install Flow Reducers in Faucets and Showers
Flow reducers fit into the aerator at the tip of the faucet and reduce the rate of water flow through the
faucet. Low-flow showerheads replace standard showerheads.
Install Tankless Water Heater
Tankless water heaters (flash or on demand heaters) heat water as needed rather than having a tank in which hot water is stored. Their capacity to provide hot water is virtually unlimited. Tankless heaters use energy only for immediate hot water needs. Tankless water heaters often are quicker and more reliable.
Energy savers can be as simple as installing compact fluorescent light bulbs, to installing lighting controls that use dimmers, sensors and timers to turn lights off in unused areas when lighting is not needed, making sure you use energy star appliances or using Energy-Efficient Windows.
These are only some of the things to do when you build or remodel a home to make the home more Green and help our environment to become healthier.
Let's make 2011 a greener and healthier year 
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