This document provides 30 simple and cost-effective options to green an existing home. It begins by outlining prerequisites for greening a home such as understanding procedures, labels, rebates, and contractors. It then lists and describes 30 specific green home options categorized by cost, from very cheap to very expensive. The options address topics like landscaping, energy and water efficiency, indoor air quality, and use of sustainable materials. For each option, it notes associated costs and which green elements it impacts.

1. What Makes a Home Green?
30 Simple and Cost Effective Options
To Green Your Home
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2. Prepare For Green Home

3. Prerequisite #1: Know The Procedure
Rebates &
Incentives
Financing
(Optional)
Contractors
& Raters

4. Prerequisite #2: Learn The Labels

5. The Options

6. Cost of The Options (Bottom Left)
$ Very Cheap
$$ Cheap
$$$ Moderate
$$$$ Expensive
$$$$$ Very Expensive
Rebates & Incentive Available

7. Green Elements (Bottom Right)
Landscaping, Community & Site
Energy
Water
Recycling & Local Materials
Indoor Environmental Quality
Green Education

8. #1: Outdoor Lighting Fixtures
✔ Direct All Light
Downward
✘ Light Pollution
$
Use Solar Lighting

9. #2: Safety & Social Gathering
Front Door with Peep-Hole Porches
$

10. #3: Landscaping
Community Garden Drought-Tolerant Plants
Drip Irrigation or
Irrigation System with Low
Reference Evapotranspiration
$$
Proper Shade Tree
Placement

11. #4: Landscape Maintenance
Mulch Made Out of Compost
$$$
Electric Lawn Mower

12. #5: Swimming Pool
$$$$$
Efficient Swimming Pool Pump

13. #6: Water Efficient Fixtures
Dual-Flush Toilet Low Flow Shower Head
(< 2.0 gallons or < 7.57 liters
per minute)
$$$

14. #7: Efficient Laundry Strategies
$
Natural Air Drying
Wash Clothes in Cold Water
& Limit Washer Duration

15. #8: Harvest Your Rainwater
Tank For
Water Storage
Rain Gutter
$$$$

16. #9: Energy Conservation Measure
$
Smart Power StripTurn Off Your Lights!

17. #10: Lighting
$
Open your windows and lift your curtains to
let light into your house!

18. #11: Energy Efficient Lighting Fixtures
CFL Light Bulb
LED Lighting
Fixtures
T5 Lighting
Fixtures
$$

19. #12: Energy Star Appliances
*Note: Make sure they meet the newest
standard levels of the day
$$$

20. #13: Complete Home Energy Assessment
$$$
Energy Audit
Perform by
Accredited
Professionals
Duct Blaster Blower Door Testing

21. #14: Home Thermal Scan
$$$
Capture images of temperature and heat patterns
as part of a complete home energy audit

22. #15: Insulation
Wall Insulation
Attic Insulation
Insulation Made Out of
Recycled Content
(i.e. Denim)
$$$

23. #16: Water Heater, Pipe Insulation &
Shower Control
Hot Water Pipe Insulation
Tankless Water Heater
Thermostatic Shower Control
$$$

24. #17: Sealing & Air Tightness
Duct Sealing
Window Sealing
$$$

25. #18: Energy Efficient Windows and
Skylights
$$$$
Look at the Labeling!

26. #19: Cool Roof
$$$$
White Painted Roof Roof with Solar Resistant
Ceramic Coating

27. #20: Efficient Air Conditioning &
Furnace System
Smart Thermostat
Split Air Conditioning System
High Efficient Furnace
$$$$

28. #21: Self-Reliant Energy System
Rooftop Solar Panels Home Wind Turbines
$$$$$

29. #22: Assemble Built-in Recycling Center
Trash
Recyclables
(e.g. Glass, Plastic)
Compost
$

30. #23: Environmentally Preferable Flooring
Bamboo Flooring Wool Carpet
Cork Flooring
$$$

31. #24: Contaminant Controls
Shoe Storage and
Removal Space
Walk Off Mats at Each Entry
$

32. #25: High Efficiency Air Filter
• Pleated HVAC filters usually has a high efficiency rating
• MERV Rating of 6+ are usually high efficiency
$$

33. #26: Ventilation
Ceiling Fans
Bathroom Fans With Humidistat
Humidistat
$$

34. #27: Low VOC Paint and Coatings
Paint
• Low VOC: <50 grams per liter
• Zero VOC: <5 grams per liter
Coating for Wood Finished
• VOC Content <250 grams per
liter
$$

35. #28: Combustion Testing & Carbon
Monoxide Monitoring
Carbon Monoxide Detector Combustion Testing &
Equipment For TestingIt’s The LAW!!!
$$

36. #29: Cabinets
• No added urea-formaldehyde
in wood products
• Cabinets must comply with
California Air Resource Board (CARB)
Airborne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM)
$$$
• Recycled Materials
• Environmental Preferable
Products
(i.e. bamboo)

37. #30: Sustainable Education
Homeowner Manual Educational Signage
$