We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. ~Native American Proverb

Kermit was so wrong. It is easy being green … not to mention trendy and increasingly necessary.

From our dinner tables to our cleaning products to the way our homes are built, things are looking much greener. We don’t need to be scientists or Nobel Peace Prize winners to witness an environment in tumult, and though we might not be able to plug the Ozone hole, we can certainly try our best to remedy the situation for future generations.

Homeowners can find an abundance of energy-efficient choices that not only will help save money, but also help contribute to saving the planet. Some of these choices are cutting edge – homes, for example, heated via solar panels. But most are much simpler. Here’s an easy checklist to follow.

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems (HVAC)
Because 90 percent of our time is spent indoors, it’s essential to be efficient with heating and cooling systems – the biggest energy hogs in the home. Start by installing a programmable thermostat. Setting it to 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees in the summer is an easy way to save. It can also be adjusted when no one is home to avoid over usage. Additionally, change filters regularly to keep air vents clean.

Plugs
Most of the electricity (about 75 percent) produced in our homes is done through “phantom loads,” meaning something is plugged in, but switched off or not being used. Unplug items that are used sporadically, like phone chargers, hair dryers or toaster ovens.

“I think we sometimes are getting too far away from the basic principles of reducing, reusing and recycling. Yes, solar panels are ideal, but maybe we should start by doing the little things, like unplugging our phone chargers when we’re not using them. Start small, think big. The little things actually make a big difference,” says Meera Parthasarathy, founder/president of the Columbus Green Building Forum.

Water System
Low-volume faucets are now more common, as are tank-less hot water tanks. Brandon Belli, a partner with Truberry Group, says the tanks have recently become among the most requested items in their newly built custom homes. The appliances heat up water only when you need it, and it’s estimated they can save up to 70 percent on water bills. They also are smaller and last three times longer than traditional water heaters.

“Hot water tanks have been around for so long, maybe 70 or 80 years, but the product finally evolved for both environmental and financial reasons, and that’s why they’re a popular request,” Belli says.

Lawn Care
The right landscape plan can have a huge impact on energy efficiency. Planting deciduous trees near windows will provide more shade in the summer to keep the house cooler. Conversely, bare trees that let more sunlight in will provide a natural source of heating in colder months.

Water the lawn only when absolutely necessary, and install a run-off catch in the garage for drainage that can be recycled for watering chores. Use gas-guzzling trimmers and lawn mowers only when necessary, as they account for more than 5 percent of urban air pollution. Finally, avoid pesticides and chemicals at all costs – they are hazardous to your health and harmful to the environment. Replace them with organic fertilizers or natural pesticides.

Lighting
Because of its simplicity, lighting has been one of the most publicized changes you can make toward having a greener home. Compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs use about 75 percent less energy and last up to 10 times longer than traditional, incandescent bulbs.

Lighting also is a perfect example of how saving energy translates tangibly into saving money. By replacing a 60-watt incandescent bulb with a 13-watt CFL, you can expect to save at least $30 in energy costs over the lifetime of the bulb.

Most manufacturers have added CFLs to their repertoire, complete with dimmer switches for controlled lighting. Also, consider motion sensors that control lighting based on whether or not someone is entering or leaving the room. “Lighting is more efficient now, and most of the newer options are neat-looking, creating a good ambiance,” says Neil Rogers, vice president of Bob Webb Group.

Windows and Insulation
Because of their low insulation value, windows and doors are big culprits in home inefficiency. But there are plenty of ways to tighten up these spaces without compromising air quality. Double-thermal pane windows are increasingly common because they trap air better and enhance thermal performance.

“New windows are almost necessary in older homes. You want to seal any area that outside air can get into your house, and that’s why caulking windows is so important. We even put foam around outlets now,” Rogers says.

Not ready for a complete window replacement? An invisible energy-saving feature for windows is the Low-e coating – a thin layer of metallic oxide that prevents UV rays from passing through glass, keeping heat in during the winter and out in the summer.

Ceilings and walls should also be firmly insulated to minimize outrageous energy bills. Some builders are taking a step further by using cellulose insulation. “It is made out of recycled material, like newspapers, and is very efficient,” Belli says. “It’s great whenever you get the opportunity to cover both recycling and efficiency with one part of the building process.”

Appliances
Appliances are energy hungry, but the market is increasingly saturated with more environmentally-friendly products that are now even standard in some units. Look for the ENERGY STAR label – ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.

But just because you have a fancy, new refrigerator that saves you money, don’t neglect common sense. Run only full loads in the dishwasher and the washer/dryer. Let dishes or clothes air dry. Try washing your clothes in cold water and clean the dryer filter after every load to improve air circulation.

Lumber
The very application of lumber seems anti-environment, but there isn’t much of a choice with new-builds. A good compromise is the use of engineered lumber – recycled wood materials which employ laminated wood chips and finger-jointing (gluing large pieces together). Not only is the “recycle” goal achieved, but engineered lumber also significantly reduces waste.

“We use engineered lumber anywhere we can. It’s to everyone’s benefit that we have as little waste as possible,” Belli says.

“Engineered flooring is win/win because it’s efficient and environmentally friendly, and it’s also a better product overall. That’s why we started using it to begin with. It provides a stronger floor without the squeaking,” Rogers adds.

Forty percent of landfill debris is from building construction alone, so cutting down waste is a huge step forward for the health of the planet. And, although industry standards have been raised, it’s still a good idea to ask your builder if these are being met.

Maintenance
Most of us wouldn’t ignore the call to change the oil in our cars every 3,000 miles, but oddly we tend to neglect our homes when it comes to routine maintenance. This, according to Rogers, is a big no-no. Maintenance is the most necessary measure toward assuring the utmost efficiency.

“Everything obviously depends on the age of the house, but you can increase your energy savings by simply caulking the windows or other maintenance updates,” Rogers says. “Just because it’s a new home, you still have to keep up with maintenance and a lot of people don’t. They will lose money. Maintenance is perhaps the most important thing to remember when it comes to being efficient. It’s that simple.”

FYI:

Only 2 percent of new home construction is considered eco-friendly, but the National Association of Home Builders predicts that number will rise to 10 percent by 2010. More than saving energy, building green also means improving design and construction practices so that new homes will last longer and require less upkeep.

Alicia Kelso is editor of Luxury Living Magazine.