The popular notion of designing and building energy efficient homes is that it costs a lot. But that is not necessarily so. One big aspect that is often overlooked is the life-cycle cost of building green. Sure, certain initial investments of green building can sometimes be higher than conventional building, but over time they can save you a lot of money.

This can be true for various appliances or the installation of plumbing and mechanical systems. For example, a tankless water heater costs more to install than a conventional water heater with a large water tank, but the lower energy consumption of the tankless water heater will pay for itself over time and continue to pay you back with lower utility bills.

But there are simple, inexpensive strategies as well, that will help build energy efficient homes:

Tax Incentives

Many green initiatives are rewarded with generous tax incentives on all levels. Be sure to check with federal, state and even cities to learn about potential tax savings.

Higher Quality Products

Put money into energy saving products while using less but higher quality, longer lasting products in other areas. For example, don’t skimp on high quality, high performance windows, just use fewer of them. The energy savings of double insulated glass will make it a worthwhile investment. Not to mention possible tax benefits.

Insulation and a Tight Seal

High quality contractors will ensure that openings are tightly sealed and insulation properly installed, essential for long term energy savings. Choosing a higher R value insulation will save money long term.

Home Siting

The orientation of your home can save you plenty of energy. Carefully consider which spaces should be South facing and which facades should have roof overhangs to keep undesired sun out. A design professional can help you with these decisions.

A little bit of research and working with professionals in the field will help you to budget and prioritize without sacrificing all your needs and wants for your green small home. Don’t forget to evaluate the long term savings over the life of any installed product against the initial cost. You will be surprised by the savings. And planet Earth will thank you for it, too.

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