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Lighter colors for
roofs absorb less heat, reducing cooling costs in warm climates.
Select energy-star
appliances.
Energy-efficient
windows, such as those with low-E glass coatings, gas filler between layers, and
composite framing materials keep heat inside in the winter and outside in the
summer.
Use environmental
friendly products like oriented strand board (OSB). OSB is a
manufactured wood product that does not require large trees.
Vinyl siding on
exterior walls is a green alternative to wood. Vinyl siding is cheaper to
install and requires little maintenance.
Increase the amount
and R-value of insulation as a cost effective way to save energy and help reduce
heating and cooling bills.
Sprayed insulation
made of foam, cellulose or wool is an alternative to traditional glass fiber
batting.
Large south facing
windows (passive solar) helps heat the home in
the winter and allows for increased natural daylighting.
Reduce
the need for watering, fertilizers and herbicides by using native plants.
This method is called xeriscaping.
Tankless water
heaters provide hot water on demand at a preset temperature rather than storing
it, which reduces or eliminates standby losses.
Insulate foundations
just as if they were walls in the living space.
Front-loading
washers use about 40% less water and half the energy of conventional models.
Recycled plastic
lumber and wood composite materials reduce reliance on chemically treated lumber
and durable hardwood for decks, porches, trim and fencing.
Tree preservation
reduces landscaping and future energy costs and helps provide winter wind breaks
or summer shade.
Additional
landscaping improves the environment even more: One tree can filter 60 lbs. of
pollutants from the air each year. |
