Here's My Great Green Idea!

My husband and I are building a new home, our dream home! It is actually a log home (fully constructed with logs on the 1st floor with conventional framing and split log siding on the 2nd floor). Given that we have been working first hand with our contractors and we have been able to make decisions that affect our home, our lives, and the environment, we've decided to make our home as green as possible!

The most notable feature we are using to help the environment is the use of Geothermal Technology. Our geothermal system will provide heat and cool air in a highly efficient way, using renewable energy. It works by concentrating naturally existing heat from the ground instead of using fossil fuels to provide heat. This will cost us more money initially, but in the long run, it will benefit both us (long term cost savings) and the environment (no emissions like when burning oil or gas) in ways that justify the up-front cost.

Next, we are installing all Low-E windows. Again, these cost a bit more but they are energy efficient in that the energy from the sun transferred through the window is 50% less than what would be transferred through standard windows. In addition, the window's insulation will reduce heat loss in the winter.

This might come as a surprise, but the use of full logs to construct our home also acts as an eco-friendly action. The logs themselves are one of the most thermally efficient types of construction material. They act as great insulators, so much so that we will not need additional insulation around these logs. We will use less energy to heat or cool our home because the logs are that efficient!

We've also added a drip irrigation septic system that will have a positive environmental effect. What's neat about this is that the water from the septic system will be released into the drip irrigation tubing and will also water the grass surrounding our home. Instead, like other septic systems, this system will recycle the water to nourish plant and grass growth!

Lastly, we have purchased as many ENERGY STAR appliances as possible to be used in our house. The ENERGY STAR website indicated that it is like planting 1.7 million acres of new trees when a single person out of ten started using ENERGY STAR qualified appliances. Talk about the power of the consumer to make a difference!

We did these things for many reasons. We realized we had the ability to make a difference...it's not always the case that people feel empowered to make such an impact in the world. We know that our actions, however small they may be, will ultimately help the environment and the Earth. And, this will benefit us financially too...we will also be able to save money by using less energy. We're staying "green" while not using any of the Earth's natural resources like gas, propane, or oil. Ultimately, we've found a win-win situation (for us and the environment) using Eco-friendly green technology and energy saving ideas and techniques!