Seven paths to a good green home

What makes a good home green? What makes a green home good? There's no single definition of green-built housing. Instead, many people refer to shades of green, recognizing that there are different paths to building better homes. An energy-efficient home in Louisiana will differ from one in Idaho because they are responding to a very different set of conditions from climate to culture. A farmhouse can be as green as a townhouse, but they'll express that greenness in unique ways. Still, the concept of green building isn't so broad as to defy description. Principles and practices have evolved—some over hundreds of years and some quite recently—that form the heart of a good green home.

This book lays out seven fundamental principles of green building, illustrated by photographs of homes that exemplify various shades of green—each one shows a different step along the path to creating a better home. While most of the homes shown here are located in the western United States and Canada, they represent various types of homes, from traditional to modern, urban to rural, modest to luxurious. Although there may be differences between what works in these homes and what may be appropriate in yours, many of the approaches featured here can be tailored to your circumstances.

The first chapter, Know Where You Are, recognizes that where you live affects both the quality of your life and the quality of the environment. Whether you're redecorating, remodeling, buying a new house, or building from scratch, understanding the unique characteristics of your particular place can help you create a greener home. The second chapter, Size Matters, takes on the subject of why bigger isn't always better (at least when it comes to homes). You Have the Power discusses ways you can take charge of the energy you use. Build for Today and Tomorrow recognizes that a well-built home will have long-term benefits for you and for future generations Clean Living : Protecting Our Air and Water covers what you can do at home to protect two of our most precious resources. Build a Better Wall presents alternatives to conventional construction methods. Finally, Use the Right Stuff encourages wise use of materials to keep your home healthy and our planet thriving.

If seven principles sound like a lot to tackle, don't lose heart. Greening your home is a process. The goal is not creating a perfect home, but creating a better home. Small steps and the right attitude can lead to big changes. Learn a little, do a little, laugh a lot, don't beat yourself up over what you can't get done, and take the time to plant some flowers along the path to a good green home.

Good green homes come in every color—not just green! Green building means creating beautiful homes that meet our needs and aspirations, while ensuring we leave our world healthy enough so that future generations can meet theirs.