Over the last couple of years the growth of the green building industry has skyrocketed. So many people are concerned about how to save money while also making the world we live in a much cleaner place that the green building trend is no longer a trend but a way of life. I realize it is my family’s turn to get with the program and help the environment. We are in the process of building one of those ranch house plans and the “hot topics” for 2011 in green building are ways that will save our environment as well as our pocketbook.

Floor Plan Layout

For years we have been looking at new home plans and it is amazing how the footprint has changed. The large luxury home plans are beautiful but today’s homeowners are downsizing and looking for small homes that will cost less to operate. They are thinking about electric and gas consumption and choosing homes with open floor plans that have little wasted space.

Passive Homes

Walls and ceilings are also being insulated so well that the home requires little energy for heating or cooling. This type of home is called a Passive Home. They are ultra-low energy homes that can be heated from the energy emitted from everyday usage such as computer usage and cooking. These types of homes can be furnace-less and also require no ductwork. If the weather is too hot or cold radiant heat or a small energy efficient air condition will do the trick to keep the home’s environment comfortable.

Energy Efficiency

Years ago building green didn’t pay off immediately. It was looked upon as a large upfront investment that over years would pay off. That is not the case anymore. When building a new home some of the most expensive things to purchase are all of the appliances. It is important to look for products that use less energy, save money, and help protect the environment. All you have to do is look for one label, ENERGY STAR. All appliances with the ENERGY STAR label will improve the energy efficiency of your home which in return will reduce your monthly spend on utilities.

Recycle Your Water

In many parts of the country water shortage is quickly becoming a reality and recycling grey water is a great way to stretch your water budget and also put less strain on your septic and sewer systems. Grey water is all the non-toilet wastewater produced from your home. The water is collected, treated and then able to be reused.

Healthy Competition

Social networking sites are the fastest growing means to communicate. Many people are sharing their energy usage with friends and it is becoming a competition to see who uses less. It is also a great way to see what products really do perform the best. Facebook and Groupon are two of the most popular ways to share information and to get the best deals in your area.

Residential construction has led the way in building green but commercial facilities have realized the impact on savings and are incorporating green design in sports complexes, office building, community centers, and on and on. Basically any structure can be built with some aspect of a “green” facility. There are no more myths about green building. It is a trend that is here to stay. Homeowners as well as business owners are planning for the future in a very big green way. We all have a responsibility to clean up the earth and green building and I know personally that once we start on building our dream home plan I will feel like I have not only benefited my family but also the environment.

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