| March 26, 2008 |
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Think you really know how to go green at home? Sure, you've swapped out those incandescent bulbs with fluorescents. You have a new thermostat. You've stuffed your attic with insulation. Winterization plugs and seals have already saved you a bundle. You've been trading up to Energy Star emblazoned major appliances and those not-always-on tech gadgets. And gas prices are forcing you to trade in that gas guzzler. Still, chances are, you've only scratched the surface of saving the planet. Going green at home is more than just tossing one energy hog for a more efficient replacement. To really shrink your households' carbon footprint, going green must be more of a lifestyle than a trend-induced fad. Here are some green steps you may have overlooked.
Around since 2003, EcoBrokers are licensed real estate agents, additionally endowed with eco-savvy certification from the Association of Energy and Environmental Real Estate Professionals. As an education outreach partner with a national green builder network, BuiltGreen.org, EcoBrokers help the home building industry sell green homes, but they also assist home buyers who want to buy green homes -- new and resale. At an open house they can point out features that save energy costs or where you can improve the green status of the listing. Schooled in energy efficient technology and sustainable energy issues they can also help you land an Energy Efficient Mortgage -- which, if you are really serious about being green, you won't buy a home without.
To help you shop green the council also offers a Green Home Checklist a detailed analysis of what features to expect in a green home.
And if you really want to get down to the green nitty gritty, location-wise, you can plant your green being in specific communities and neighborhoods noted for green living. The LEED for Neighborhood Development program, offered by, the Congress for New Urbanism (CNU), U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the National Resource Defense Council (NRDC) integrates the principles of smart growth, urbanism and green building into the first national system for sustainable neighborhood design.
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