We all know we need to do more to lessen our carbon footprint. But are there ways to do this without going to the extreme of selling your home and moving the family into a tent? Actually, you will be relieved to know that there are easy ways you can go green at home!

Here are a few tips.

• Set your thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter and a few degrees higher in the summer to save on heating and cooling costs.
• Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL’s) when your older incandescent bulbs burn out.
• Save water whenever possible. As much as 85 percent of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating the water. Use a drying rack or clothesline to save the energy otherwise used during machine drying.
• Take shorter showers to reduce water use. This will lower your water and heating bills too. Install a low-flow showerhead. They don’t cost much, and the water and energy savings can quickly pay back your investment.
• Make sure you have a faucet aerator on each faucet. These inexpensive appliances conserve heat and water, while keeping water pressure high.

If you are about to build your dream house, it’s important to make choices that you love, but that don’t break the budget! Let’s talk about a few ways to save money when deciding on those dream house features.

Let’s start with flooring. The most common flooring choices in the family room or great room are carpeting, laminate hardwood, engineered hardwood, or site-finished solid hardwood. Carpet is usually the least expensive option, but may need to be replaced in 5-10 years, due to wear. Hardwood is another popular option. It can be expensive, but with proper care and eventual refinishing, can last for the life of the home. High-quality engineered or laminate floors can cost as much as site-finished natural hardwoods, or even more. It’s important to determine what the best investment is for your budget, initially and long-term.

In today’s homes, fireplaces are chosen more often for their visual appeal and the lure of cozy, romantic winter evenings than for traditional heating imperatives. In 1991, 62% of new homes had a fireplace. By 2007, only 51% of new homes included fireplaces. And most fireplaces today are gas, rather than wood-burning. A full, floor-to-ceiling stone surround can be the most striking focal point in your home. But it can get expensive, so you may also want to consider a ceramic tile fireplace, which can also look beautiful as well. (This will also be a big money saver!)

Now let’s talk about built-ins. Beautiful yes, but their price can definitely add up. A beautiful, furniture grade built-in with lower cabinetry, upper bookshelves, and special places for electronics can really make a room sizzle. But this type of upgrade can cost several thousands of dollars. If you simply can’t afford this, talk to your builder about “framing“ in preparation for future additions.

A higher ceiling can make a home feel a lot larger than it actually is, but it does have its drawbacks. If lower heating and cooling costs and more efficient use of space are more important to you than open space overhead, you might agree with the most recent trends that are replacing wide-open ceilings with a full size bonus room occupying that space. This a good option that will definitely save you on your energy bills.

If you think that this isn’t the right time to remodel your house, experts say think again! Think about it, contractors are not busy so they are discounting jobs. The construction industry rebounded somewhat last year, however business is still slow. Remember when getting a contractor to call you back was a challenge?

Now the best pros in town will be happy to bid on your job — and they’ll probably offer you prices well below the norm. Another plus is that materials are down. Plywood is down 23% since its peak in the mid-2000s. Drywall is off 29%, framing lumber 35%.

Not all raw materials prices have fallen that much. Asphalt roofing, which is made from a petroleum byproduct, is down only 7% over the past two years. Insulation — which has been in high demand because of energy rebates and high fuel prices — is down a mere 2% since 2006. Still, on the whole, construction supplies are bargains right now.

Experts say as a whole, selling a home is still a challenge. And because moving remains far costlier than improving, remodeling is a good choice.

Experts say, if you can remodel your way into staying put long term, you can hold on to that once-in-a-lifetime rate. In a few years interest rates are predicted to be somewhere at six or seven percent. When it comes time to sell your place, chances are you’ll probably wind up having to do the sorely needed renovations you didn’t take care of earlier. Not only does that add a huge amount of stress to the process of putting your house on the market, but you still end up spending the money quite possibly when contractor, materials, and borrowing costs are higher. This is why experts say, this is the prefect time to remodel. Why not get the benefits of a new furnace or an updated bathroom for you and your family instead of buying them for the house’s next owners?

With the economy still struggling, we all know the housing industry has taken a beating these past few years. Economists say the recession has curtailed many of the extravagances that buyers desired before things went south. Homebuyers want different things from their homes today. Rooms that serve multiple purposes and homes that can accommodate either “boomerang” children or aging parents are in.

Realtors say baby boomers in particular are starting to think about what their homes need to look like if they’re going to stay in them as the years advance. That means single-story homes, homes with grab bars in the bathroom, fewer stairs and perhaps even wheelchair ramps, walk in bathtubs, step in showers, etc. Realtors say, accessibility is a top priority with many of their clients.

Another top feature that never goes out of style is space. Not long ago, homebuilders were adding garage space to accommodate SUVs. Now some homebuilders are making more room in the garage for all the other items families put there, from tricycles to golf carts. A trend for the larger garages is to use part of it as a ‘man cave’ space where you can fit two cars, in addition to a sofa, TV, weights, etc.

Realtors say buyers want homes that are more flexible, more versatile. Rooms dedicated to one purpose are less popular now. With the economy the way it is, homebuyers are realizing that in a smaller home, rooms can serve multiple functions. There is no such thing as wasted space. Nooks that used to serve no purpose now include a desk, printer, room for a laptop and even some cubbyholes for mail and bills.

Homeowners are now adding “planning centers” to their homes, which are basically spaces adjacent to the kitchen that serve as the family command center. Basically, it’s a place where the kids can do their homework and be within earshot of the parents. They are great for family organization, paying bills, or just having a place to getaway!

Roofs have definitely come a long way in the last few years. If you’ve driven around lately, you may have noticed that many people are choosing metal. Tired of replacing their roofs every thirty to forty years is a big reason why.

So you may ask, is metal roofing really a smart investment? Local builders say yes! Metal roofing is much stronger and more durable than asphalt shingle roofing. In a nut shell, a metal roof can last twice as long as most conventional roofs. Because metal roofing is so durable, it has long been the choice for many school, government, and industrial buildings.

Another benefit of a metal roof is that it is superior in all extreme weather conditions, including hail, sun exposure, and wind. Unlike shingles, metal roofing will not deteriorate due to sun exposure. High winds and/or a hail storm will destroy a composition roof, but a metal roof can handle wind speeds up to 140 MPH and is extremely hail resistant.

Lighter colored metal roofs reflect away much of the sun’s UV rays, which can help keep your house cooler and lower cooling costs. A metal roof can actually cut cooling costs by as much as 25% or more.

If you’re concerned with our environment, a metal roof is a great choice. Did you know that 20 billion pounds of asphalt shingles are dumped into U.S. landfills annually? The recycled content of steel in metal roofing is much higher than the recycled content in asphalt shingles. Also, due to the low weight of metal roofing (about half that of shingles), in many cases it can be installed directly over your existing roof, saving the environmental as well as financial costs associated with removal and disposal.

Metal roofing is a popular choice for so many reasons including:

• Long life expectancy
• Low maintenance
• Durability
• Lightweight to ease stress on your roof structure and framing
• Long term warranties
• Energy Efficiency – save money with reduced heating and cooling costs
• Increased resale value of your home
• Improved curb appeal of your home
• Metal roof colors to complement your home
• Increased protection from high winds, hurricanes, and fire
• Environmentally friendly building choice
• Made from recycled material and won’t contribute to our landfills
• Reduces energy consumption