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When buying a new home, your goal should be to make a selection that causes the least amount of harm on the environment. You must carefully consider everything from the shingles on the roof to the basement foundation, and every aspect in between the two. Lowering your carbon footprint without spending a fortune is possible. Here are some tips for buying a green home.

1. Choose a home that is the size you need. You do not want to buy a home that is too big. This will create wasted space that you will be tempted to fill with clutter. It will cost more to heat in the winter and cool in the summer. However, if you plan on expanding your family by having children or inviting older relatives to move in, then you might choose a home that is just big enough for those plans.
2. Think ahead to your future needs. If you have a family now, what are your plans for when the kids grow up, move away, and empty the nest? If you are already retired, then do you need something all on one level for when your health declines?
3. Find the right location. A lot of people like the idea of living in the country. Buying a home close to town leaves the countryside uninterrupted for the ecosystem currently in place there. It also puts less emissions into the air from traveling back and forth into town because you may be able to take advantage of public transportation.
4. Go solar. If you are having a new home built, ask about your solar options. Just the placement of your home, angling the front toward the south, can lower your utility bills by as much as ten percent. If you cannot go solar right now, then ask about adding skylights especially to small rooms like laundry areas or half baths.
5. Do your homework. The more information you have, the more you know about your options for buying a green home. You will know more about sustainable materials, Energy Star appliances, and other eco-friendly products.
6. Minimize your footprint. Your goal is to buy a green home that allows you to use the least amount of energy as possible. This goes beyond turning off lights when leaving the room. You also want to make sure your home has adequate insulation, windows rated for optimal energy savings, and so forth.

Everything from roofing materials to flooring can be purchased with an eco-friendly mindset. Ask the builder about using things like cork or bamboo, recycled glass, and other materials from sustainable sources. Combined with energy efficient appliances, like a tankless water heater, these measures will help you enjoy your green home for years to come.