If you are thinking of building, consider downsizing and/or higher density. Choose as small a home as is comfortable for you. Smaller and multi-family homes use less land and less energy to heat and cool. Living in a smaller home is an easy way to ease environmental impact without learning about new technologies and building materials. Choosing a high-density unit, especially closer to an urban core, creates enormous savings in upkeep with shared walls, etc. Furthermore, you normally drive shorter distances plus being handy to public transportation.

Consumer Info

Choosing Heating and Air Conditioning Contractors

ACEEE Buildings Program High Performance Buildings Save Money, Avoid Pollution, and Improve Comfort and Indoor Air Quality.

Residential Buildings and Equipment.

Building Technologies Program

Energy Solutions for Your Building

Energy Solutions for Your Building— Homes

The Building Technologies Program offers an array of resources to help architects, builders, contractors, building owners and managers, and homeowners make smart choices about energy.

Building Toolbox —Guidelines, tools, success stories, and links to guide you through your building or renovation project.

Building Technologies Program. Program Areas

Publications —Technology fact sheets, technical reports, building technology roadmaps, high performance and zero energy building brochures, consumer information, and more.

Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that promotes responsible energy choices that solve global warming problems and ensure clean, safe and healthy communities throughout the Southeast.

A Homeowner's Guide to Clean and Efficient Energy

A This guidebook will help you save money on your electric bill, and help move the United States towards a future relying on American energy, protecting the American environment. The guidebook focuses on homeowners in East Tennessee, but is relevant to any homeowner.

Excellent report. Sections on: Improving Energy Efficiency in a Current Home, Building an Energy Efficient House, and Producing Clean, Renewable Energy at Home.

Green Building Council

Zero Energy Homes

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Date: June 27, 2007