Green building and remodelling

by John Barrows and Lisa Iannucci

A member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.



by John Barrows and Lisa Iannucci

A member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.


Published by the Penguin Group
Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA
Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2Y3, Canada (a division
of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.)
Penguin Books Ltd., 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England
Penguin Ireland, 25 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland (a division of Penguin Books Ltd.)
Penguin Group (Australia), 250 Camberwell Road, Camberwell, Victoria 3124, Australia (a division of Pearson
Australia Group Pty. Ltd.)
Penguin Books India Pvt. Ltd., 11 Community Centre, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi—110 017, India
Penguin Group (NZ), 67 Apollo Drive, Rosedale, North Shore, Auckland 1311, New Zealand (a division of
Pearson New Zealand Ltd.)
Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty.) Ltd., 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196, South Africa
Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the
publisher. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. Although
every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and authors assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of information contained herein. For information, address Alpha Books, 800 East 96th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46240.
THE COMPLETE IDIOT’S GUIDE TO and Design are registered trademarks of Penguin Group (USA)
Inc.

ISBN: 1-4406-5847-1
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2008931270
Note: This publication contains the opinions and ideas of its authors. It is intended to provide helpful and
informative material on the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the authors and publisher are not engaged in rendering professional services in the book. If the reader requires personal assistance
or advice, a competent professional should be consulted.
The authors and publisher specifically disclaim any responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk, personal or
otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the
contents of this book.
Publisher: Marie Butler-Knight
Editorial Director: Mike Sanders
Senior Managing Editor: Billy Fields
Acquisitions Editor: Tom Stevens
Development Editor: Jennifer Moore
Production Editor: Kayla Dugger
Copy Editor: Megan Wade

Cartoonist: Steve Barr
Book Designer: Trina Wurst
Indexer: Heather McNeill
Layout: Chad Dressler
Proofreader: Laura Caddell


1 Why Green Homes Matter
What exactly is a green home, and why does it matter that
you have one? Learn about the problems with the environment and how the choices you make in your home can make a
positive impact on your family and the environment.

3

19
2 It Is Easy Being Green
Just go green, experts say, but what exactly does that mean
and how do you get there? Learn how to integrate green
features into your current home, understand the differences
between building a traditional home versus a green home, and
get a handle on what it means to have your home certified.
3 Planning Your Green Home
Here is where you start evaluating and prioritizing your
remodeling or building project. Should you build a new home
or remodel your current one?

29

4 Dollars and Sense
Learn how much it is going to cost you to remodel or build a
green home. Uncover tax and utility breaks for getting money
back. Find out about new energy-efficient mortgages.

45

5 A Material World
What makes a product sustainable? Repeat your new mantra:
reduce, reuse, recycle. Learn creative approaches to finding
building materials for free.

55

6 Home Sweet Home
Select the best sites to build your home. Consider avoiding certain types of land.

65

7 Homebuilding Techniques
Start with a strong foundation. Learn options for framing
your house and choices of eco-friendly insulation.

79

8 Windows and Doors
Select energy-efficient windows. Choose the right front door
and skylights, and make the right skylight selections.

93


9 Roofing and Siding
Decide on roofing material and consider options for exterior
materials. Learn about surface choices based on your location.

105

10 Floors and Walls
Select flooring for each room. Choose from the traditional to
the exotic and decide on wall coverings and budget considerations.

117

11 Heating and Cooling
Learn about solar heating, wind power, biofuels, geothermal,

and other mechanical systems, as well as selections of water
heaters.

131

12 Water Heating
143
Learn about preserving water and reducing the energy needed
to heat your water. Go behind the walls and install environmentally favorable piping.
13 Appliances and Countertops
Choose ENERGY STAR dishwashers, stoves, refrigerators,
washers, and dryers. Pick a countertop and cabinets, from
stone to tile to bamboo and wood.

151

14 Light and Power
Install your lighting system. Select automated systems, solar
panels, net metering, and more.

165

15 Water Preservation and Conservation
177
Learn about water quality and water scarcity. Find out how
to reuse water, control contamination, and irrigate your backyard.
16 Faucets and Fixtures
187
Study the benefits of a low-flow toilet. Design a water-efficient
shower and learn some facts on shower and toilet fixtures.

17 Air Quality
Improve indoor air quality by letting the house breathe.
Prevent offgassing contamination.

195


18 The Great Outdoors
209
Eliminate invasive plants and plant edible yards. Design your
yard wisely to maximize its environmental benefits. Get quick
tips on mulching and getting rid of pests.
19 Shade and Sun
219
Protect yourself and your house from the sun and heat. Choose
deciduous trees, evergreens, canopies, and shutters.
20 Let It Rain!
227
The benefits of rain, capturing and reusing rain, and permanent erosion controls. Consider xeriscaping as a landscaping
option.
21 Pools, Hot Tubs, Fencing, and More
Consider greening your pools and hot tubs. Get the facts on
environmentally friendly fencing. And find out which wood
you should choose for your deck.

235

22 It Can Be Done
Get motivated and inspired by reading stories of other homeowners and communities that have successfully built and
remodeled green.

247

A Glossary

259

B Green Building Resources

267

C The NAHB National Green Building Program

281

D LEED Rating System List

297

Index

303



Why Green Homes Matter ...........................................................5
Shrink Your Carbon Footprint ......................................................6
Reduce Your Energy Use ...............................................................8
Save Money..................................................................................9
A Healthy Home.........................................................................10

High Air and Water Quality ......................................................11
Good for the Environment ..........................................................12
Help Your Local Economy............................................................12
Increase the Value of Your Home .................................................12
You Get a Good, Good Feeling.....................................................13
The Green Home Movement......................................................13
What a Green Building Is Not .....................................................15
Environmental Stewardship ........................................................16
It Can Be Done ............................................................................17
Deciphering Facts and Myths......................................................20
Myth: Green buildings are funny-looking and made out
of hay bales, old tires, and other bizarre materials......................21
Myth: I can’t afford to go green and install high-priced
technologies like solar roof panels................................................22
Myth: Builders don’t want to build green.....................................23
Myth: To be green, we have to replace everything in our home! ....24
Myth: There’s too much to learn..................................................24
Myth: Green building materials don’t last longer than
traditional building materials....................................................24
Myth: It seems like every business makes some claim to
being “green” these days. I can’t decipher the truth from
hogwash, so it’s not worth it.......................................................25
Myth: Historic homes can’t be greened. ........................................25
National Homebuilder Mainstream GreenHome ......................26
Brainstorm Your Wants and Needs .............................................30
Designing Byte by Byte ...............................................................30


Everything Old Is New (and Green) Again ................................31
Buying Resale ...............................................................................31

Location, Location, Location ........................................................32
Resale Value ...............................................................................32
Affordability ...............................................................................32
Foreclosures.................................................................................33
Handyman Specials.....................................................................34
Evaluating .....................................................................................35
Integration Not Separation .........................................................35
Prioritizing....................................................................................36
Climate ......................................................................................36
Local Requirements.....................................................................37
Budget........................................................................................37
No Job Too Small........................................................................38
Building an Eco-Friendly Home .................................................39
Evaluating and Prioritizing........................................................39
Land ..........................................................................................39
McMansions’ Major Footprint ....................................................40
Smaller Footprints ......................................................................40
Other Alternatives: Granny Flats and Green Communities ......41
It Can Be Done ............................................................................42
LivingHomes LEED Platinum Rating........................................42
Certification .................................................................................43
Energy Efficient Mortgages.........................................................46
Tax Credits....................................................................................47
Your Green Dream Team.............................................................49
Builder and Remodeler Basics ......................................................49
Drawing It Up ...........................................................................50
Landscaping Your Site.................................................................51
Sign on the Dotted Line ..............................................................52
Insurance Coverage ......................................................................53
LEED Standards for Green Materials ........................................56

Sustainable Versus Unsustainable ................................................56
Locating Suppliers........................................................................58
Think Local ................................................................................58
Reduce ........................................................................................58


Reuse: One Man’s Trash ….........................................................59
Deconstruction ............................................................................62
Construction and Demolition.......................................................63
Smart Growth...............................................................................66
Site Planning ................................................................................67
Infill Development .....................................................................67
Adaptive Reuse ...........................................................................69
Brownfields Are Green Again .....................................................69
Greyfields ...................................................................................71
Sites to Avoid................................................................................71
Wetlands.....................................................................................71
Floodplains..................................................................................72
Farmland ...................................................................................72
Build Some, Save Some................................................................73
It Can Be Done: An Infill and a Brownfield ...............................73

Foundations ..................................................................................80
Framing.........................................................................................81
Structural Insulated Panels (SIP) ..............................................81
Steel ...........................................................................................81
Advanced Framing Techniques ....................................................82
Novel Framing Techniques: Earthships and Yurts ........................83
Straw Bale Homes ......................................................................84
Heat and Moisture 101 ................................................................84

Conduction .................................................................................84
Convection ..................................................................................84
Radiation....................................................................................85
Moisture Movement....................................................................85
Get It Under Control ..................................................................86
Insulation ......................................................................................87
Which Insulation Is Right for You?..............................................88
Loose-Fill Insulation ...................................................................89
Batt Insulation............................................................................91
Open-Cell Foam .........................................................................91
Denim, Cotton, and Soy .............................................................92


The Importance of Efficient Windows .......................................94
Window Design............................................................................95
Glazing ......................................................................................97
Low-E ........................................................................................97
U-Value .....................................................................................98
The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)...................................98
Frames and Sashes........................................................................99
Window Placement and Size .......................................................99
Skylights......................................................................................100
Low-Budget Upgrades ...............................................................101
Storm Windows........................................................................101
Window Film ...........................................................................101
Caulking and Weatherstripping ................................................102
Smart Windows........................................................................103
Doors ..........................................................................................103
Garage Doors ...........................................................................104
Sliding Glass Doors...................................................................104

Interior Doors...........................................................................104
Roofing Styles.............................................................................106
Climate Control .........................................................................107
Types of Roofing ........................................................................107
Shingles and Shakes .................................................................108
Tile .........................................................................................109
Concrete ..................................................................................109
Slate.........................................................................................110
Metal Roofs ..............................................................................111
Adobe .......................................................................................111
Green Roofs................................................................................111
Cool Roofs .................................................................................112
Siding ..........................................................................................113
Wood ........................................................................................113
Cement and Brick ....................................................................113
Vinyl ........................................................................................114
Aluminum Siding.....................................................................114
Exterior Paint Job.......................................................................114
It Can Be Done: Alys Beach, Florida ........................................115


The Facts on Flooring ...............................................................118
The Wonders of Wood ..............................................................119
Reclaimed Wood........................................................................120
Laminated Wood.......................................................................120
Plantation-Grown Wood ...........................................................120
Bamboo.....................................................................................120
Stone .......................................................................................121
Ceramic Tile.............................................................................122
Cork ........................................................................................122

Linoleum ..................................................................................123
Concrete ...................................................................................123
Leather, Coconut, and Other Exotics..........................................124
Carpeting .................................................................................125
Paints ..........................................................................................125
The ABCs of VOCs...................................................................126
Get the Lead Out! ....................................................................126
Wallpaper....................................................................................127

Warming Trends.........................................................................132
Forced Hot Water .....................................................................132
Forced Air ................................................................................133
Floor Heating ...........................................................................133
Heat Pump...............................................................................134
Warmth from the Hearth ..........................................................134
Pellet Stoves..............................................................................135
Wood Stoves..............................................................................135
Bigger Is Not Necessarily Better ..............................................135
Green Heat.................................................................................137
Solar Heating...........................................................................137
Geothermal Energy...................................................................138
Fuel Efficiency Standards for Your Home ................................139
Cooling Down: Air Conditioners and Fans ..............................139
Room Air Conditioners ............................................................140
Central Air Conditioning..........................................................140
Facts About Fans .......................................................................141
Passive Cooling ..........................................................................141


Water Heaters ............................................................................144

On-Demand Hot Water Heaters..............................................144
Indirect Heaters ........................................................................145
Solar Water Heaters .................................................................145
Drain Water Recovery Systems .................................................146
Piping..........................................................................................146
Good-Bye PVC .........................................................................146
Hello PEX................................................................................147
Insulation ....................................................................................148
Water Temperature ....................................................................149
When to Upgrade Your Old Appliances ...................................152
Stoves and Ovens ......................................................................154
Refrigerators and Freezers ........................................................155
Washing Machines and Dryers..................................................156
Dishwashers..............................................................................157
Disposing of Old Appliances .....................................................158
Countertops................................................................................158
Countertops to Reconsider ..........................................................158
Paper Composite .......................................................................159
Recycled Glass ...........................................................................159
Concrete ...................................................................................160
Recycled Ceramic Tiles ..............................................................160
Glass Tiles ................................................................................161
Recycled Plastic .........................................................................161
Terrazzo...................................................................................161
Other Countertop Options.........................................................162
Kitchen and Bathroom Cabinets ...............................................162
Holding Them Up ....................................................................163
Education on Electricity ............................................................166
Lighting ...................................................................................166
Compact Florescent Lights ........................................................167

Halogens...................................................................................169
Light-Emitting Diode (LED) ...................................................169


Design for Your Lighting Needs ...............................................169
Artificial vs. Daylight .................................................................170
Lighting Controls.......................................................................171
Power! .........................................................................................171
Solar Power!.............................................................................172
Wind Power! ............................................................................172

Building Green Protects and Preserves Our Water .................178
Water Quality.............................................................................178
Make Changes..........................................................................179
Use Rain Barrels.........................................................................180
Reuse Greywater ........................................................................182
Create Rain Gardens .................................................................184
Toilets..........................................................................................188
Toiletry 101..............................................................................188
Low-Flow Toilets.......................................................................189
Showerheads ...............................................................................191
Faucets ........................................................................................192
Aerators....................................................................................193
Sensors ....................................................................................193
Know Your Home’s Air Pollutants ............................................196
VOCs .......................................................................................197
Radon.......................................................................................198
Know Your Moisture..................................................................198
Ventilation ..................................................................................200
Air Quality Tests ......................................................................202

Combustion Venting..................................................................203
A Few Words About Humidifiers ..............................................203
Filtration .....................................................................................203
Garage Exhaust...........................................................................204
Duct Cleaning ............................................................................205


Design Your Yard Wisely ...........................................................210
Invasive Plants ............................................................................211
Pesticides ...................................................................................212
The Good Bugs .........................................................................213
Integrated Pest Management ....................................................214
Natural and Organic Pest Remedies..........................................215
Green Fertilizers ........................................................................215
Compost....................................................................................216
Buying Bugs .............................................................................216
Grow Your Own .........................................................................216
Trees............................................................................................220
Deciduous Trees ........................................................................220
Evergreens...............................................................................221
Windbreaks.................................................................................221
Canopies, Shutters, and Awnings...............................................222
Canopies ...................................................................................222
Shutters....................................................................................224
Roof Gardens..............................................................................224
What’s Your Climate Zone? ......................................................225
Protecting the Watershed .........................................................228
Permeable Pavements.................................................................228
Xeriscaping Made Simple ..........................................................230
Irrigation Information................................................................230

Wasteful Watering Habits..........................................................231
Go with the Flow .......................................................................232
Erosion .......................................................................................232
Pools and Hot Tubs....................................................................236
Eco-Friendly Pumping and Filtering.........................................237
Heating and Filtering ..............................................................237
More Energy- and Water-Saving Tips ......................................238
Chemical-Free Zone..................................................................239


Fencing .......................................................................................240
Living Walls.............................................................................241
Step Up to Your Deck................................................................242
Light the Way: Outdoor Lighting.............................................243
The ABCs of BBQs....................................................................243
Play Structures............................................................................245
A Few Extras: Keeping Warm ...................................................245
Green Communities...................................................................248
Raleigh’s Chavis Heights Community........................................248
DC’s Jefferson at Half Street ....................................................248
Oakland Park, Florida..............................................................249
From Tragedy to Triumph: Greensburg, Kansas ........................249
Cherry Hill, New Jersey ...........................................................250
Ed Begley Jr. and the $100 Thermostat ....................................251
Matthew Linden, ConsciousBuild .............................................252
A Green Interior and Exterior in Louisville, KY......................253
Bryan Roberts’s Florida Earthship.............................................254
Platinum Living..........................................................................255
Take the Next Steps ...................................................................256
That’s Not All Folks! .................................................................256

When it comes to addressing most of the challenges we face as a society, it is often
said that change begins at home. This is an exciting prospect—that we can make a difference around the world by changing the way we live our daily lives—and nowhere is
it truer than in our efforts to improve the health of our planet, our communities, and
our families. A greener home is the ideal place to start as we work toward a greener
world.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, buildings’ energy use accounts for
39 percent of the United States’ carbon emissions, and the typical American family
pays upward of $1,500 a year in energy costs. Buildings’ designs often fail to make the
most efficient use of water, an increasingly scarce and valuable resource. The materials
used to build them are often harvested and transported in ways that are detrimental to
the environment, and those same materials can release toxic chemicals that damage the
health of building occupants. Americans spend roughly 90 percent of their day indoors,
breathing air that is affected by the chemicals and products that fill our buildings.
This all may sound like bad news at first blush. In reality, the opportunity to make
real change by building and renovating greener homes is great news. Families can
save money, live in greater comfort and health, enjoy the durability of longer-lasting
homes, and help in the fight against climate change and environmental degradation
all at once. A truly green home makes efficient use of energy and water, is built with
responsibly harvested and produced materials, has a healthy indoor environment, minimizes its impact on the land it sits on, and is inhabited by people who know how to
live as green as possible. All kinds of homes can be green, from single-family detached
homes to high-density apartments, and from luxury condominiums and townhouses to
affordable housing projects. Green homes can be built green, or they can be renovated
to be green. But green building and renovation are more than just the sum of a handful of green features. A green home is the result of a holistic, integrated plan where
green features, systems, designs, and products complement each other and work as a
sustainable whole.
If all this sounds like a lot of work, don’t worry. There are a host of tools out there
to help you make the wisest green decisions in building or renovating a green home.

The U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® for Homes rating system is like a nutrition label for green homes. LEED-certified homes have been inspected and rated by
third-party experts, and they are given a score based on all the factors that go into
making a home green. USGBC also offers The Green Home Guide at www.
thegreenhomeguide.org, which provides more information on green homes, profiles of LEED-certified homes, and the free-to-download REGREEN Residential


Remodeling Guidelines, which will guide you in detail through any type of green
home remodeling project. And by buying this book from the folks at Complete Idiot’s
Guide, you are demonstrating the vital foundation for successful green building projects: a desire to be educated, to learn to do it the right way.
Now is a great time to build green. The 2007 McGraw-Hill Construction
SmartMarket Report showed a rapidly growing market for green homes, with truly
green homes valued nationwide at almost $2 billion in 2005. The report predicted that
market will grow to $20 billion by 2010. Experts say green homes are certain to outpace their conventional counterparts in resell value, with some predicting that within
10 years, homebuilders who aren’t building green won’t be building at all.
Good luck as you work to make your home part of the solution—for yourself, your
family, your community, and our planet.
Rick Fedrizzi
CEO, President, and Founding Chairman of the U.S. Green Building Council


Ever since the green movement took off, there has been an abundance of material
written on the subject, from greening your life, your car, and of course your home.
But like any subject that you are delving into for the first time and want to learn more
about, the amount of information can be overwhelming. So you want to build a green
home, but how do you start? How does each system in your home connect to one
another? Whom do you contact? How much is it going to cost you?
If you already own a home, you may be wondering how you can make it more energy
efficient. Where do you start? What do you upgrade first? What will bring you the
most payback in terms of energy efficiency and cost?
This book is going to give you a step-by-step process to learning about green building and remodeling. Most important, this book is going to show you how to integrate

your systems to one another. For example, if you are remodeling your home, it isn’t
logical to invest in a solar heating system if you haven’t fixed the air leaks in your
home. If you want an on-demand water heater, that’s great, but how about starting
with a low-flow toilet and faucet fixtures first? This book will show you how making
even the smallest green building upgrades will improve your energy efficiency and
heating and cooling costs almost immediately. This book will also show you how you
can take one green step at a time, work within your budget, and make the transition
happen.
What this book isn’t going to do is give you extreme “out there” suggestions for
greening your home. It’s more about the mainstream, traditional methods of building and remodeling your home, but made better. Although we mention earthships
and yurts, we believe that most readers won’t give up their current digs and move to a
small home made of tires and earth. Although earthships are a great idea and certainly
meet the criteria of a green home, we’re going to talk more about traditional styles of
building with some earth-friendly alternatives to choose from.
Once you’re done with this book, you might have more questions about your specific
home. That means it’s time to talk to your builder about your specific needs in your
specific geographic location. As much as we can generalize to talk about all different
locations, we can’t possibly cover everything on green building in one book, so it’s
important to have this very vital conversation with your builder.
As we write this book, the building industry is still learning about the green industry.
Builders who have spent decades building homes the same way are suddenly being
inundated with questions on greener materials and other alternatives. They are learning at the same time we are. Some are more ahead of the curve than others, so it’s


important to find a builder that’s qualified to have these discussions with you. And
remember that to have a successful green home, you need to know about the industry,
too. Stay on top of the information that’s out there, so you know the options that are
available.
It’s often said that making a difference starts at home—this time it just so happens that
it’s with your home.

Although it’s best to read this book from the beginning, feel free to skip around to
find exactly what you’re looking for. Here’s how the book is structured:
Part 1, “Green Home Basics,” lays the groundwork for green building and remodeling. Start by taking a tour of the environmental issues that face us today and learn how
you can make all the difference. Find out how you’ll save money and live a healthier,
cleaner life. Finally, start planning your green home, from its size, the location, your
dream team, and the materials you’ll choose.
Part 2, “Your Home’s Structure,” demonstrates the importance of creating a strong
foundation for your home. You’ll learn about the various framing techniques that keep
your home tighter and the many environmentally friendly styles of roofs, windows,
doors, floors, and walls. Finally, find out how to keep your home from being too hot
or too cold with the right kind of insulation.
So many new green heating and cooling systems are available today. Part 3,
“Energy,” covers various “green” heating and cooling systems and helps you determine which one is right for you. You’ll also learn how to efficiently heat and cool your
home and water. Finally, you’ll learn how to choose an efficient appliance, sustainable
countertops, and toxic-free cabinets and light the way with an energy-efficient lighting
system.
Part 4, “Water and Air,” begins by pointing out how easy it is to reuse rainwater for
many of your daily chores. It also helps you choose water-efficient piping and bathroom fixtures for your home and covers the ins and outs of adequate ventilation and
indoor air quality.
In Part 5, “Outdoors,” you’ll learn how to “go green” on the outside of your home.
You’ll find out how to utilize your landscape for shade and sun and choose the best
fencing and driveway material. Finally, you’ll put the finishing touches on your green
home with an eco-friendly pool and energy-efficient outdoor lighting, as well as other
features that will make your house a home.
You’ll also find four appendixes: a comprehensive glossary of green building and
remodeling terms; a list of helpful organizations, websites, and other green building
and remodeling resources available to you; information on the NAHB National Green
Building Program; and a partial list for LEED certification.

We’ve also developed some little helpers you’ll find throughout the book:

Tips & Tools
Here you’ll find meanings to
words you might not understand.

Hard Hat Area
Here you’ll find warnings
for potential obstacles that
could hinder your green building
plans.

Here you’ll find interesting
tidbits about green living and
tools to get you started.

Green Facts
Here you’ll find statistics and
interesting information on the
nation’s and your carbon footprint.

One of my favorite parts about writing a book is the acknowledgments because, as all
writers know, books like this don’t get written without a little help from our friends:
To Patricia Quaglieri, who worked for hours looking up as much information on
green building and remodeling as she could possibly find.
To David Stenger of Creekview Homes in Hopewell Junction, New York, for putting
me in touch with my co-author John Barrows and for being there for me professionally every time a project comes about.
To John Barrows, who has an incredible wealth of knowledge on the green building
industry and was willing to share it with me for this book.
To my agent Marilyn Allen of the Allen O’Shea literary, who had faith in me for this

project.
To my editor Tom Stevens at Alpha Books, who made this book possible and gave me
a wealth of guidance and advice.
To one of my favorite writers, Bobbi Dempsey, whose professional advice helped
me write this book; and to Lori Hall Steele, an incredible writer whose strength and
determination I admire tremendously.
To my children, Nicole, Travis, and Samantha. You understood what commitment it
took to write this book, and you all took on additional responsibilities so I could meet
the deadline. I love you and you’re all awesome! —Lisa Iannucci


I would like to acknowledge my parents, John and Carol Barrows, for instilling a lifelong appreciation and wonder for the environment and the belief that even the small
steps have a long-lasting impact.
—John Barrows

All terms mentioned in this book that are known to be or are suspected of being
trademarks or service marks have been appropriately capitalized. Alpha Books and
Penguin Group (USA) Inc. cannot attest to the accuracy of this information. Use of a
term in this book should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark or
service mark.


1

Traditional methods of building or remodeling a home use a tremendous
amount of materials—many of them nonrenewable and toxic—and pay
little attention to the impact the home’s site has on the landscape.
In this part, you will learn how greening your home will not only allow you
to tread more lightly on the environment, but will also make your home
healthier and more energy efficient, which will save you money in the long

run.
This part also walks you through the process of choosing a piece of property or existing structure that helps you minimize your impact on—or perhaps even improve!—the environment. Along the way, you’ll read inspiring
stories of others who have chosen to “go green.”