here's a lot of talk in toilets. Consider energy saving
real estate about green washers and dryers, or put a line
building lately, but the in your yard to hang wet clothes
phrase is still a little vague. on sunny days Make sure your HVAC
Here's a guide to understanding a unit is sealed and clean, and
few key terms, so you can look for gas stoves and
investigate whether or not a instantaneous, or tankless, water
potential home is truly heaters.
eco-friendly.
Flooring:
Insulation and Building: Rather than use expensive
Many new buildings are being hardwoods that endanger the land
insulated with recycled and deplete forests, many real
materials, such as old blue jeans estate builders have found
or blown-in fiberglass. Proper inexpensive and beautiful
insulation now goes a long way alternatives in bamboo (which is
toward saving on energy bills technically not a wood but a
later. Walls can be made of steel grass, and yet one of the hardest
and concrete, rather than more and most easily replenished
expensive and volatile treated flooring materials) and cork
wood. Many cities have lumber (also easily replenished).
yards and "re-stores" where you Concrete, too, can be a sturdy
can buy recycled or left over and inexpensive alternative, as
building materials that are can old fashioned linoleum, which
strong, cheap, and often antique is actually made from linen and
or authentically vintage. other natural fibers.
Appliances: Paint and Other Materials:
Look for low flow shower heads Many paint manufacturers are
and low flush or composting looking for green alternatives to
oil and latex; one such option is require little watering. Consider
the use of milk-based paints getting rain barrels (many cities
(which upon application smell sell them through their water and
like milk instead of harsh energy programs) or converting
chemicals, and which don't have your outdoor water system to
any carcinogenic ingredients.) "graywater" (which involves using
Recycled glass is now being made recycled water from dishwashers
into kitchen and bath tiles, and and washing machines to water
countertops are being made with your lawn or wash your car).
recycled materials that look even Looks for trees that are native
more beautiful and unique than to your area, and plant them so
mined granite. they shield your windows from too
much sun during hotter days.
Solar Energy:
Solar energy doesn't just mean Neighborhood:
expensive panels that sit on your While a lot of green building
roof (though that's one kind, means being aware of what is
called active solar energy). going into your home, you might
Considering a solar home can mean also want to check out your
investing in thick-paned, glazed neighborhood. Are there recycling
windows or in more complicated programs or community gardens?
photovoltaic cells. Though solar Public transportation? Bike paths
tends to be an expensive so you can have the option of
investment, upfront, the rewards avoiding traffic? Are there shops
show up every month in your and restaurants close to you, to
energy bills. encourage walking? While
thinking about these things may
Landscaping: seem unimportant now, our global
Look for Xeriscaped yards and climate and community with thank
common areas with plants that you later. (Oh, and don't forget
the federal tax deductions.)
About the Author:
If you are looking for property in the Austin Texas Real Estate market Ki Gray can help you in your search. A broker with a long background of helping clients in the Austin market. His site Escapeso Austin Texas Real Estate is a source for information about the real estate market and current events in Austin Texas. It also provides a description of the different Austin Condos going up in downtown Austin.
Read more articles by:
Ki Gray
Article Source: www.iSnare.com 
