Kermit the Frog said, "it's not easy being green." For homes, being "green" is getting easier every day. But what is a green home? It's one that uses less energy, water and natural resources; creates less waste; and is healthier and more comfortable to live in. Specifically, these homes have lower energy and water bills, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and less susceptibility to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins. This is accomplished in part by taking advantage of natural sunlight, rainwater run off, treed lots and using products with recycled content and products that cut energy consumption. The popularity of building green is helping reduce the costs of products associated with more environmentally conscious homes.

Some sources indicate a more energy-efficient home may cost only 3 to 5 percent more to build than a traditional home. This small premium is recuperated in energy-cost savings within the first several years, delivering a return on the initial investment and the satisfaction of knowing you're preserving the environment."Windows are a practical home improvement that can reduce a home's environmental burden by improving energy efficiency," said Jeff Williams, of Weather Shield Windows & Doors, a leading manufacturer. "They also help improve livability by drawing in natural daylight and improving air quality."
Windows' composition and placement in a home also can affect energy usage. In warmer climates, locating windows away from the most direct sunlight will help keep a home cooler. In cooler climates, windows on the sunny side of a home will help reduce heating loads. If your home is designed for passive heating/cooling, you'll want windows that allow maximum sunlight into a home - windows without low-emissivity coatings (Low E) that reflect sunlight. You'll also want to consider wall, roof and flooring materials that absorb the sun's heat during the day and release it gradually as temperatures cool.
Passive heating/cooling is not feasible for many new or existing homes. For these green homes, today's most advanced windows incorporate features to minimize energy consumption. Warm-edge spacer systems that affix the two panes of insulated glass together help reduce the heat gained or lost through the window while minimizing glass condensation. Low E coatings on windows' glass dramatically reduce solar heat gain and filter harmful UV rays. Inert gas-filled airspaces further insulate against heat/energy transference. By adding a third pane of glass, energy efficiency multiplies further. The combination of these components, as found on Zo-e-shield, can cut energy costs by as much as 30 percent compared to standard dual-insulated glass.
Green homes also incorporate products made in environmentally conscious ways. Wood windows, for example, can be made of wood from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified forests. Vinyl windows may include recycled manufacturing waste. Green products also use low-emitting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and may carry third-party certifications verifying environmentally responsible production. Many manufacturers post their environmental positions or products' environmental attributes on their Web sites to help homeowners identify which businesses have an eye on environmental preservation.
As the green building and remodeling trend continues, more homebuyers may wonder how to determine a prospective home's greenness. Green-built homes are not the same as the 70s "earth homes" built into hillsides. Today's green homes are in mainstream developments and typically blend with the traditionally built house next door. National certification programs, such as LEED for Homes and the National Association of Homebuilders' National Green Building Program, will also help identify truly green homes. Certified projects receive points for the way they're constructed. For example, homes can earn points for proper placement of windows for allowing daylight in, providing views through the perimeter of the building, and ventilating the structure, as well as using windows with low-emitting paints and coatings.
Choosing to build a green home or remodel in an environmentally friendly way truly is becoming easier. Perhaps one day even Kermit will say, "It's easy being green."

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