Buy a home that is no bigger than you really need

The average American home has increased in size from 1500 to 2600 square feet since 1973. While becoming more energy efficient per square foot, as they've grown, the efficiency gain has been cancelled out. Buying a house that is no bigger than you need is the single most sustainable home choice you can make — it will take fewer resources both to operate and to build, and have a smaller footprint on the earth. For more information, visit www.notsobighouse.com

Attached units provide an inherent green benefit

We realize that many people want to live in detached homes, but it is important to recognize that when you attach homes either as townhomes or in stacked units, there are two major benefits: significantly improved energy efficiency (less wall area per unit is exposed to the outside) and fewer materials are used through shared structure.

Live close to transit and where you can walk to services

Building operations and transportation are our two largest contributors to CO₂ emissions in the U.S., accounting for 39% and 33%, respectively. Traveling on a full bus per mile generates 15% the CO₂of driving alone — a huge difference. So buy a home in a place where transit works. Evaluate your potential neighborhood based on its walkability or how far you will have to travel to reach essential services such as grocery stores. This site scores neighborhoods based on their walkability: www.walkscore.com

Buy a Built Green certified home

Built Green homes are designed to provide homeowners with comfortable, durable, environmentally friendly homes that are cost-effective to own and operate. The four and five star levels provide the greatest level of sustainable benefit. www.builtgreen.net

Buy an ENERGY STAR certified home

The ENERGY STAR program provides certification for complete new houses. Certified homes typically are at least 15% more energy efficient than typical new homes.
www.northwestenergystar.com