Building an eco-friendly new home today is much easier than it was 10 years ago. The green construction industry is growing and the products are stylish and affordable. We provide 10 ideas that will help you green up your plan from demolition to construction.

Pre-Construction

1. Carefully consider how you live and don't build empty rooms for kids who have left the nest or for family reunions that occur once a year. Sorry but I don't consider a 15 bedroom home with green construction amenities that will be occupied by a couple to be eco-friendly. A good example is the Spelling Mansion in Los Angeles. It has 56.500 sqft., 123 rooms, and is on a 6 acres lot. If you have the money to build that kind of a house, consider building a school. At least it will do some good. BTW, the asking price for the Spelling Mansion was $150 million.
2. Small homes can be very luxurious. 
3. Consider how much it will cost to heat and cool the home and heat hot water.

Demolition
Most of us envisioning a bull dozer knocking down any existing structure and surrounding trees. Being Eco-friendly means conserving and using resources wisely.

1. Take down the roof slowly and either recycle the framing and hardware floors for reuse. Many businesses would be delighted to take down our roof and your old hardwood floors free of charge.
2. Save those shade trees if possible. They will save on your air conditioning bill and provide needed shade for outdoor activities
3. Recyle any copper pipe
4. Donate existing kitchen and bathroom cabinetry to workers or the the nearest Home Restoration Center.
5. Don't overbuild the lot. Consider buidling a smaller home that will allow your lawn to process rainwater and/or snow runnoff rather then sending it to the storm sewer.

1. Consider using green lumber certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
2. Look into using concrete and other green products
3. Consider using recycled steel. This is becoming more popular in green buildings
4. Use an insulating wrap of foam around the home that has a R value instead of the standard Tyvek.
5. Use doors and windows that have a very hight ENERGY Star rating. We have had good luck with Jeldwen Windows.
6. Break up the HVAC system into as many parts as possible to control more precisely where you heat and cool spaces.
7. Also look at the SEER rating of your air conditioning units. The higher the better.
8. Consider a GFX heat exchanger to recapture heat from shower waste water, dishwashers and washing machines. They really work and can save you money.
   
   
9. Take a look at tankless hot water heaters especially if it will prevent you from buying a larger tank unit.
10. Use iron pipe for waste water drains. While not eco-friendly, you hear a lot less noise in the drain then with PVC pipe.
11. Consider installing solar roof panels and exterior security LED lights in hard to reach places. Check out local, state and federal tax incentives for energy efficiency and renwable energy.