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Suddenly there are so many options for green in residential projects and it's frankly becoming overwhelming. What are some good first steps?

Penny Bonda -- Interior Design, 3/2/2007 7:04:00 AM

Knowing where to start can be daunting but luckily we have good models to follow. Green home projects are popping up in many communities these days, reflecting the growing interest in sustainability from designers, manufacturers and consumers. For example, the Fab for Less Design Home Tour in Indianapolis featured a new home built from scratch and another that was renovated using green design and construction principles. Some of the trends that were showcased:

Using recycled furniture and renewable materials like bamboo.
Applying lower VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints that release no, or minimal, VOC pollutants into the air.
Installing low-flow showerheads, such as Delta Faucet Company’s Water-Efficient showerhead, which uses 36% less water than standard showerheads, but still envelops the user in a drenching experience.
Installing electronic faucets for both the bath and kitchen that not only offer hygiene benefits but conserve water and energy.
Using tankless water heaters, which heat water on demand and high-efficiency furnaces, both of which save energy for the home.

All of these initiatives are affordable, doable and an example of those first steps you are asking about. Delta, headquartered in Indianapolis, participated in the event and provided the above observations, many of which involve water savings. Other suggestions can be found at the environmental section of Delta's website.

Make use of this resource and others like it to begin designing green and the journey will seem much less intimidating.