(by 23 people)
What Is a Green Home?
A Green Home operates with little or no impact on the surrounding environment. And uses the appropriate natural products in and around the home to support health and wellbeing.
It's a nurturing living space where nature rejuvenates mind, body and spirit.
Here's 12 action steps to keep in mind while creating your own Green(er) Home
Contents at a Glance
- Green Home Step #1: Understand the potential dangers in a typical modern home.
- Green Home Step #2: Find knowledgeable sources for consumer information
- Green Home Step #3: Take a tour of a house being green-ed.
Green Home Step #1: Understand the potential dangers in a typical modern home.
Most conversations about green homes focus on excess energy consumption. But greening a home can get very personal.
Do you suffer from health conditions that your doctor can't seem to diagnose?
Did you know that chlorine (in Comet cleanser), formaldehyde (sprayed on furniture), pesticide residue (on non-organic cotton sheets) and paraffin (found in burning candles) can all cause significant physical reactions? (GreenHome.com)
Then there are the potential long-term outcomes, such as asthma, autism, learning and behavior problems, and cancer. (Homes that Heal)
Everybody owes it to themself and their loved ones to learn about the possible dangers lurking around the typical home.
Green Home Reading Suggestion
Do you suffer from health conditions that your doctor can't seem to diagnose?
Did you know that chlorine (in Comet cleanser), formaldehyde (sprayed on furniture), pesticide residue (on non-organic cotton sheets) and paraffin (found in burning candles) can all cause significant physical reactions? (GreenHome.com)
Then there are the potential long-term outcomes, such as asthma, autism, learning and behavior problems, and cancer. (Homes that Heal)
Everybody owes it to themself and their loved ones to learn about the possible dangers lurking around the typical home.
Green Home Reading Suggestion
Homes That Heal (and those that don't) : How Your Home Could be Harming Your Family's Health
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $17.79 (as of 11/19/2008) 
List Price: $26.95
Green Home Step #2: Find knowledgeable sources for consumer information
Magazines & Online Journals about Green Homes
Misinformation. Disinformation. Outright lies. 'Green' concepts have been laughed at for too many years.
Fortunately, there are enough publications today that you can pick and choose one or two that match your personality, goals and learning style.
Fortunately, there are enough publications today that you can pick and choose one or two that match your personality, goals and learning style.
- Green Guide
- Green Home section of GreenGuide.com, started in 1994, and now published by National Geographic. Shows people how to make small changes that can save money and nurture good health.
- Treehugger.com
- Blog-zine that marries modern aesthetic with ecological options. News, reviews, recommendations and buying directory.
- The Daily Green
- "Consumer's Guide to the Green Revolution." ...New online journal from Hearst Communications. This is confirmation that the green revolutions has gone mainstream.
- Lime Network
- Main page of the Green Home section features blogs, articles, audio, video, forum and more.
- Green Home Guide
- "Unbiased reviews and advice from professionals and consumers like you." Features tips for doing things around the home as well as directories of products, services and retailers.
- Hugg 2.0
- Like Digg for the Green Movement. Readers submit news stores about green topics; the most popular show up on the front page. Great way to know which green ideas are gaining the most traction.
- Inhabitat
- Blog that focuses on the future of design, technology and materials as it applies to more sustainable goals.
+ Green Gossip from EcoRazzi
Just so you don't get the idea that talking green is a completely humorless activity...we present the 21st century's premier collision of ecological responsibility and tabloid journalism.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byGreen Home Step #3: Take a tour of a house being green-ed.
Maybe you're wondering, does a 'green home' look like one of those hippy communes from the 1960s? Will it smell? Well, some people have pushed the limits of design toward... let's say: earthy: 10 Innovative Green Homes. But these are not the norm.
To put your fears to rest, here's a 3-part video series about giving a typical home a green make-over using bamboo, recycled glass, products derived from plastic soda bottles and more. Hosted by Michelle Harris at Alive & Well TV. (Parts 2 & 3 are farther down the page.)
To put your fears to rest, here's a 3-part video series about giving a typical home a green make-over using bamboo, recycled glass, products derived from plastic soda bottles and more. Hosted by Michelle Harris at Alive & Well TV. (Parts 2 & 3 are farther down the page.)
Green Home Step #4: Start small. Keep it simple.
A really simple way to start making changes. Bring in the plants.
Green Home Reading Suggestion
Green Home Reading Suggestion
How to Grow Fresh Air: 50 House Plants that Purify Your Home or Office
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $12.24 (as of 11/19/2008)
List Price: $18.00
Green Home Step #5: Go to Las Vegas.
HAHAHAHAHAHA ... No, I'm Serious.
You must see the Las Vegas Springs Reserve -- the Ultimate Destination for a Green Education.
Yet another reason for a Las Vegas vacation. YIPPEE !!
Springs Preserve is a showcase for sustainable living in the desert southwest, which experiences scorching summer heat up to 115-120 degrees. Plunges to below freezing on winter nights. And suffers from a chronic shortage of water. Designers incorporated innovative measures into every phase of the Desert Living Center to achieve Platinum LEED Certification (the toughest standard set by the U.S. Green Building Council).
The Springs also hosts the Nevada State Museum, garden trails, classes, meeting facilities, concerts & performances (hey, this IS Las Vegas!!) and much more.
Yet another reason for a Las Vegas vacation. YIPPEE !!
Springs Preserve is a showcase for sustainable living in the desert southwest, which experiences scorching summer heat up to 115-120 degrees. Plunges to below freezing on winter nights. And suffers from a chronic shortage of water. Designers incorporated innovative measures into every phase of the Desert Living Center to achieve Platinum LEED Certification (the toughest standard set by the U.S. Green Building Council).
The Springs also hosts the Nevada State Museum, garden trails, classes, meeting facilities, concerts & performances (hey, this IS Las Vegas!!) and much more.
- Springs Preserve in the Heart of Las Vegas Valley
- aka: 'Birthplace of Las Vegas' ..."A 180-acre non-gaming cultural and historical attraction designed to commemorate Las Vegas' dynamic history and to provide a vision for a sustainable future."
- Las Vegas Green Living
- The city also hosts a number of other 'must see' GREEN landmark projects, such as...
- The Palazzo -- the world's largest LEED-certified building in the world.
- CityCenter: The Future of Urban Living -- MGM Mirage's $7 billion, 76-acre city-within-a-city on The Las Vegas Strip.
- Echelon Place: The Epitome of Modern Luxury -- Boyd Gaming's $4.4 billion, 87-acre mixed-use space on The Las Vegas Strip.
- Sullivan Square -- Glen Development's $1 billion, 16.5-acre mixed-income, mixed-use project.
- Union Park -- a 61-acre development by the City of Las Vegas, which is the first project in Nevada accepted as part of the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED for Neighborhood Development program.
Green Home Step #6: Join (or start) a local green support group.
City-Oriented Associations
Creating a green home takes help.
A number of major cities have been active on green issues for quite some time. Here's a few examples of local associations that have made a name for themselves. And now offer resources accessible to anyone via the web.
A number of major cities have been active on green issues for quite some time. Here's a few examples of local associations that have made a name for themselves. And now offer resources accessible to anyone via the web.
- Austin, TX
- Austin Energy's Green Building Program for homeowners, renters, designers and builders. Publications, factsheets, calendar, directory and more. Very mature program.
- Cambridge, MA
- Cambridge Energy Alliance is a city-sponsored nonprofit group created to save you money, while reducing Cambridge's carbon footprint and creating jobs. (Recently featured on NOW, on PBS)
- Cleveland, OH
- Cleveland Green Building Coalition: a nonprofit created to inform civic, business and building industry leaders as well as the general public about the economic, health and aesthetic benefits of green building.
- Denver, CO
- Voluntary program called BuiltGreen Colorado. Encourages homebuilders to use technologies, products and practices to provide greater energy efficiency and healthier indoor air; reduce pollution, water usage and maintenance; and preserve natural resources.
- New York, NY
- "...working with building owners, builders, and suppliers of building products to promote the use of environmentally friendly, energy-conserving building practices and products in small buildings."
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Green Building Alliance provides publications, case studies, factsheets, surveys, forums, organization, contacts and links.
- Santa Monica, CA
- Green Building Program commited to protecting the environment, improving quality of life, and promoting sustainability. Design and construction guidelines, case studies and list of resources.
- Seattle, WA
- A wealth of resources including FREE publications for downloading. Topics like: Remodeling; Hiring a Pro; Kitchen; Bath & Laundry; Roofing; Painting; Salvage & Reuse; Landscape Materials; DIY Energy Guide; Green Home Buyers Guide; etc.
- Washington, D.C.
- "Demonstrates and promotes affordable, sustainable design, construction, and landscape practices for homes and communities throughout the Washington, DC area."
Part II - Take a tour of a house being green-ed.
Green Home Step #7: Experiment with recycling and other green options.
While you're getting settled with a local support group, try a few simple experiments of your own.
What's Really Possible?
For inspiration, check out Energy Smackdown, an 'innovative community outreach program to increase energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions,' which is also a reality program you can watch online.
Home Office Options
Let the government help you switch to green office equipment and supplies. Consult with your accountant about expensing 100% of the cost as a tax deduction.
Whole Home Options
How about creative recycling ideas using those annoying grocery bags you've been stuffing in the cupboard?
Or see how much you can do with just a couple of common items you probably already own like salt, baking soda and vinegar.
Green Home Reading Suggestions
What's Really Possible?
For inspiration, check out Energy Smackdown, an 'innovative community outreach program to increase energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions,' which is also a reality program you can watch online.
Home Office Options
Let the government help you switch to green office equipment and supplies. Consult with your accountant about expensing 100% of the cost as a tax deduction.
- Office Depot's Buy Green page and Green Buyer's Guide.
- Office Max's Environmental Policy page.
- Staples' Staples Soul Environment page.
Whole Home Options
How about creative recycling ideas using those annoying grocery bags you've been stuffing in the cupboard?
Or see how much you can do with just a couple of common items you probably already own like salt, baking soda and vinegar.
Green Home Reading Suggestions
The Bag Book: Over 500 Great Uses and Reuses for Paper, Plastic and Other Bags to Organize and Enhance Your Life (Lansky, Vicki)
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $6.95 (as of 11/19/2008)
List Price: $6.95
Solve It with Salt: 110 Surprising and Ingenious Household Uses for Table Salt
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: (as of 11/19/2008)
List Price: $10.00
Baking Soda: Over 500 Fabulous, Fun, and Frugal Uses You've Probably Never Thought Of (Lansky, Vicki)
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $8.95 (as of 11/19/2008)
List Price: $8.95
Vinegar: Over 400 Various, Versatile, and Very Good Uses You've Probably Never Thought Of
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $8.95 (as of 11/19/2008)
List Price: $8.95
Green Home Step #8: Remember to do your due diligence.
Professional Associations and Publications
Once you dive into the local green scene, you'll be meeting a lot of people throwing around a lot of opinions, and terms, and promises, and great deals, and dreams, and well... a lot of bullpoop among the daisies.
Keep your head on straight and your feet on the ground by verifying as much as possible the credentials, track records, industry and government guidelines, building practices, and... well, you get the idea.
These sites can provide useful information to answer your questions. And help you make fewer mistakes. ...Type 'green home' into their search boxes to see related articles.
Keep your head on straight and your feet on the ground by verifying as much as possible the credentials, track records, industry and government guidelines, building practices, and... well, you get the idea.
These sites can provide useful information to answer your questions. And help you make fewer mistakes. ...Type 'green home' into their search boxes to see related articles.
- Green Building Initiative
- "Promotes green building approaches for builders, architects and others who want practical and affordable options for creating environmentally friendlier structures."
- Architects / Designers / Planners for Social Responsibility
- Promotes "peace, environmental protection, ecological building, social justice, and the development of healthy communities."
- National Association of Realtors
- Article on Cultivating the Green Building Industry. Use their Search box to find 'Green Home' articles.
- National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
- "Contains vast resources for both members and consumers alike" on general home building topics. Use their Search to look for Green Home content. Registration required for some sections.
=========== Publications => - NAHB Weekly Newspaper
- News about home building in general, but they do have a Green Building section. (National Association of Home Builders)
- Green Building Magazine
- For residential builders, remodelers, and contractors who are interested in responsible growth and sustainable development.
- Environmental Design and Construction
- Covers the rapidly growing green building industry with "concise, insightful and solution-driven editorial," that "reports on innovative products, strategies and technologies driving the industry's success."
- Building Green
- Online database of articles, product listings, and case studies. Requires subscription)
Green Home Step #9: Get a contractor's perspective on building a green structure.
"The Green Cottage" video presented by Building Sustainable Solutions.
Over the course of about 30 minutes, the hosts walk you through a tour of a small green structure and points out some of this things you might want to consider if you plan to build your own green home.
You'll have to listen to a sales pitch for the company's services. But overall, it's worth the viewing.
Over the course of about 30 minutes, the hosts walk you through a tour of a small green structure and points out some of this things you might want to consider if you plan to build your own green home.
You'll have to listen to a sales pitch for the company's services. But overall, it's worth the viewing.
Whew !!! Time for a SHOPPING Break !!!
To help sustain the green mood, and declare to all your friends that you've gone over to the green side, here's a few green-themed items from CafePress.
Green Home Step #10: Collect ideas and brainstorm your new green house.
Think Globally
TrendWatching.com offers a free 16-page report: Eco-Iconic. Use it to expand your perspective, because the branding of eco-goods and services is entering a new phase in 3 ways:
Act Locally
Lots of details. Lots to consider. So take it slow. Collect ideas. Throw them around with your family, friends, support group members. And let the feedback percolate somewhere in the back of your head. Somehow, one day, it will just all be there, fully formed, and ready to go.
Green Home Reading Suggestions
TrendWatching.com offers a free 16-page report: Eco-Iconic. Use it to expand your perspective, because the branding of eco-goods and services is entering a new phase in 3 ways:
- Eco-Iconic -- bold, original product design that says: "I'm green." Think: status symbol.
- Eco-Embedded -- pending regulations that embed sustainability into mature and emerging economies.
- Eco-Boosters -- the shift that has brands actually boosting the environment rather than just limiting damage to the environment.
Act Locally
Lots of details. Lots to consider. So take it slow. Collect ideas. Throw them around with your family, friends, support group members. And let the feedback percolate somewhere in the back of your head. Somehow, one day, it will just all be there, fully formed, and ready to go.
Green Home Reading Suggestions
Living Homes: Sustainable Architecture and Design
Amazon Price: (as of 11/19/2008)
List Price: $45.00
Naturally Modern: Creating Interiors with Wood, Leather, Stone, and Natural Fabrics
Amazon Price: (as of 11/19/2008)
List Price: $27.50
Green Remodeling : Changing the World One Room at a Time
Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 11/19/2008)
List Price: $29.95
Green Building Products: The GreenSpec Guide to Residential Building Materials
Amazon Price: (as of 11/19/2008)
List Price: $34.95
Green Home Step #11: Expand your experiments to using or even making your own green household products.
Most people really notice the difference between typical commercial cleaning products and green cleaning products. You might experience the house as being lighter, cleaner, fresher. You might start sleeping better. Sinus congestion may miraculously clear up. Who knows? That's why it's an experiment.
You can purchase the products at supermarkets like Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, The Fresh Market, Sunflower, etc. Or you can save some money and have some fun making your own.
Green Home Reading Suggestions
You can purchase the products at supermarkets like Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, The Fresh Market, Sunflower, etc. Or you can save some money and have some fun making your own.
Green Home Reading Suggestions
Organic Housekeeping: In Which the Non-Toxic Avenger Shows You How to Improve Your Health and That of Your Family, While You Save Time, Money, and, Perhaps, Your Sanity
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $19.80 (as of 11/19/2008)
List Price: $30.00
Making Natural Liquid Soaps: Herbal Shower Gels / Conditioning Shampoos / Moisturizing Hand Soaps
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 11/19/2008)
List Price: $14.95
Homemade: How-to Make Hundreds of Everyday Products Fast, Fresh, and More Naturally
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 11/19/2008)
List Price: $15.95
The Naturally Clean Home: 100 Safe and Easy Herbal Formulas for Non-Toxic Cleansers
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $10.36 (as of 11/19/2008)
List Price: $12.95
Part III - Take a tour of a house being green-ed.
Green Home Step #12: Get serious about plans, financing, hiring, buying.
Background, design plans, financing, furnishing, news, trends and more. Here's where the fun really starts.
- Regreen Program
- Best practices guidelines for sustainable residential improvement projects from the American Society of Interior Designers' Foundation and the U.S. Green Building Council.
- Green Home Building Guidelines
- National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) offers a FREE guide that contains info on selecting a site, choosing materials, handling waste, water and energy efficiency, etc.
- The Future of Solar-Powered Homes
- November 1, 2007 -- Overview of the Solar Decathlon, which is "produced by the Department of Energy as a showcase for the latest high-tech solar homes-designed and built by college students. ...This year, there were 38 entries..." (New York Times: Technology)
- U.S. Green Building Council
- LEED Ratings for Homes. ('LEED' stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
- Green Home Building
- Covers a variety of related topics, with plenty of opportunities to buy stuff.
- Modern Green Living
- 'Database of green residences and communities' for finding 'green architects, builders, remodelers, interior designers, realtors, and green building consultants near you.'
- Green Homes for Sale
- Search and/or browse listings of green homes for sale throughout the U.S.
- Dream Green Homes
- Alternative-home plans available for preview and purchase.
- Smart Communities Network
- Financing options (Fannie Mae, HUD, Home Depot Foundation, etc.), publications, links.
- American Lung Association
- Information on the Health House Project, plus news, events, builder guidelines, owner tips and guidelines, sharing, more.
- Home Depot
- Home Depot brands green products with their own 'Eco Options' label, which means the product has less of an impact on the environment. Lots of green-home-improvement info here.
- Lowe's
- Their Healthy Home Improvement page, which addresses Healthy Home, Cleaning Tips, Healthy Living and Related Products.
- Green Home Environmental Store
- If you can't find what you want locally, these guys offer all sorts of online services and green products for the home via mail order.
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Guestbook and Suggestion Box
Help Others. Share your Expertise & Wisdom
Got any tips about Green Homes? Leave a relevant comment, suggestion or correction. All posts are reviewed prior to posting.
Also... please notify me if you find any broken links on this page. Thanks.
Lensmaster
Denisseclora
Hi,
I did not know much about green home before I visited your lens and it looks like you have provided lots of good information.
Checkout my the homebuilderresearch blog
Posted September 24, 2008
Lensmaster
chelseajewelen
This is really great lens, I does no before visiting this site about Green home. But I really glad to your lens and I learned more information about green home.
thanks you very much.
Checkout my thegeneralcontractorguide blog
Posted September 24, 2008
dannystaple wrote...
Hi there, a like this lens. I am starting out on a lens about Growing your own food and also building useful stuff from junk you may have. I would also recommend people read make magazine for ideas on building and reusing stuff in their home to save power and waste. Now does anyone know of a green support group in Northolt, UK?
Posted July 13, 2008
jeffshy wrote...
Greening our house is something we have been talking about for a while. Favorited this as a great one stop info shop...great work.
Posted July 09, 2008
marypeters wrote...
This is really great lens, I does no before visiting this site about Green home. But I really glad to your lens and I learned more information about green home.
thanks you very much.
Check out my lens that focuses on bathroom remodeling
Posted May 05, 2008
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