3. Building a home that requires less energy.

This should be a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised at the homes built today using less responsible products.

The Cliffs Cottage incorporates double-insulated windows and doors, Icynene insulation, and spider fiberglass insulation made from recycled material to create a draft-free home. By sealing the ductwork properly and balancing the system, Furman is not wasting energy to condition air in the basement or attic. The interiors team selected appliances for their efficiency. For aesthetics, solid shades on decorative lighting hide compact fluorescent bulbs.

 You Can: Have your ductwork inspected and sealed if necessary. Balance your heating-and-cooling system. At up to a 40% energy savings by fixing an inefficient and leaking system, you’ll easily offset the expense of the work.