CFL Bulb

By changing the light bulbs in your house to compact fluorescent lights (CFL’s) you can save about $45 in electricity cost per light bulb. Another way to save energy is to implement shading can save up to 40% of cooling costs.

Planting trees in strategic areas will save the home owner about $100 – $250 a year in energy costs. Be sure to turn televisions, computers and DVD players off, not just leaving them on standby, will make a significant difference in how much you will pay on your next utility bill.

If you replace a washing machine that is older than 1994, you will save up to $110 a year on your utility bill. Purchasing Energy Star approved appliances, or even an Energy Star approved new home, you can save your family up to 50% more money than non Energy Star approved appliances.New washing machines come standard with the Energy Star and can be purchased for less than $1000. These washers will not only conserve energy but will also conserve water as well.

Other ways to conserve water is by changing your shower head. For an investment of $10 or less you can save $50 to $75 per year on water bills and $20 to $50 more per year on energy bills (depending on your current shower head and utility rates). Every new shower head should pay for itself within the first year.

When building green there are two main factors that need to be taken into consideration. First, is conservation – energy conservation, water conservation, and natural resource conservation. Then there is taking into consideration the carbon footprint that constructing and living in a new house has on the environment.

Ways to conserve:

When conserving energy there are numerous products and materials available to builders. Let’s see, we’ve got solar-powered attic fans, which helps to circulate fresh air, ventilate the warm air out, and even extend life of the roof.

Seal all areas where air can seep in and out with sprayed foam insulation. In addition, use blown-in wall insulation to ensure that your energy saving home keeps your house cool in the summers and warm in the winters using the least amount of electricity. And don’t forget your dual-pane windows.

Install a 14-SEER air conditioning unit. With this bad-boy you’ll be saving an impressive $42 on every $100 spent on electricity for an 8-SEER system. Another effective energy saving approach is to have Energy Star® appliances – refrigerator, washer, dryer, dishwasher, hot water heater, etc.

Ways to reduce a new home’s carbon footprint:

Using certified wood from sustainable forests is a very eco-friendly approach to building. Sustainable forests are carefully monitored and help to maintain the local ecosystem and preservation by regenerating growth.

Use recycled materials where possible and be sure to recycle left over materials and waste from the construction process.

Conserve water by installing low-flow faucets and showerheads, plus low-flush toilets. You can also utilize one of many exterior water conservation systems that will monitor weather reports and adjust your watering schedule for rain, and some systems will gather and store rainwater for use on grass and other plants.

Finally, consider installing solar-panels. A home solar-panel system can save money on utilities by conserving the electricity used from the utility company, and can even generate as much as 40 percent of the average household’s daily electricity use.

You can find many very useful “green” home building resources online. When building green check out GreenerBuildings.com, the EPA’s Green Building web-page, and the U.S. Green Building Council.