For your health. Greener buildings can result in improved indoor air quality, partly due to the use of less toxic, low volatile organic compound (VOC) materials. According to EPA, "Studies have found that levels of several organics average 2 to 5 times higher indoors than outdoors. During and for several hours immediately after certain activities, such as paint stripping, levels may be 1,000 times background outdoor levels."

(Interestingly, the site also notes that "no standards have been set for VOCs in non-industrial settings." I presume that means it is even more important for us as individuals to choose to use low-toxic materials.)

Oh, another thing to think about from a societal perspective: According to The Center for Health and the Global Environment's report, Healthy Solutions for the Low Carbon Economy (PDF), estimated savings from greener buildings in the U.S. related to respiratory disease can be as high as $14 billion.

  For your pocketbook.Greener buildings can help save money each month. Of course, your savings will vary based on many factors, including amount of investment needed and your utility's rate structure. But generally speaking, a reduction in energy use should translate to a reduction in your energy bill!

Please look online for federal, state and local utility based discounts and rebates that can help you pay for your resource-saving upgrades. My favorite site for that type of information is the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE). It can be a little technical — and friendlier, local resources may be available. That said, if you haven't already, take a peek at the DSIRE site and check out all the incentives that are available. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

For a quick and easy fix, you can save about 10% per year on your heating and cooling bills by installing a programmable thermostat and turning it back 10-15° for 8 hours per day.

  For our environment. Not long ago, Sheri blogged about the environmental impacts of buildings. My main take away from her post is that we can greatly reduce our nation's climate change-causing greenhouse gas emissions by making our buildings more energy efficient and more reliant on clean, renewable energy. What do you think?

To help you go greener, we've made "Green Remodeling Guidelines" available on our website. We also worked with the National Home Builders Association to create "The Green Home Guide," a video that provides simple strategies for embracing a greener lifestyle at home. Take a look!