Green Home Building and Remodeling: Planning

For many, home is the most important place on Earth. It's within our houses that we establish the bulk of our worldviews, so it's important that the structures themselves represent those values. This week we're providing tips for those of you in the process of building or remodeling about how to make your home harmonious with the rest of the planet.

Tip #1: Do Your Homework

If you're thinking of remodeling or building your home, it'll pay off to do some advance thinking about how you want it to comply with the natural world. When interviewing contractors, ask what they do to be green, whether they have experience in energy-efficient, resource-saving building methods, and whether they have reputable certifications. For DIY upgrades, don't overbuy materials, sweep away instead of hosing off debris, and find new uses for objects or materials that you might have otherwise thrown away. Keep in mind that bigger isn't better, and that having a smaller, higher-quality home benefits the natural world more than a larger, shoddily built one.

Tip #2: Choose Eco-Frienly Appliances

Tip #3: Go With Green Hardware

Tip #4: Consider Your Material World

Share your tips: What will you incorporate into your plans to green your house?