Is your home green? And I don't mean the paint job. "Green" buildings incorporate the latest technology to squeeze the most out of the energy that's used for heating, cooling, and lighting. They're also equipped to conserve water. Green buildings may have motion detectors that switch lights on and off when you enter or leave a room, low- or no-flush toilets, advanced insulation, energy efficient appliances, and sunlight for illumination, piped into rooms through fiber optic cables. To reduce pollution and energy use, both the public and private sectors are promoting green building. The federal government's "Energy Star" program rates buildings and appliances that meet strict energy-efficiency standards. And the U.S. Green Building Council promotes environmental responsibility in the building industry. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 provides tax credits for investing in environmentally friendly home improvements. While some of these improvements can be expensive up front, they eventually pay for themselves and actually save money in the long run. And the growing number of conservation-minded consumers is likely to accelerate the green building trend, which should reduce the upfront costs.

Is your home green? And I don't mean the paint job. "Green" buildings incorporate the latest technology to squeeze the most out of the energy that's used for heating, cooling, and lighting. They're also equipped to conserve water. Green buildings may have motion detectors that switch lights on and off when you enter or leave a room, low- or no-flush toilets, advanced insulation, energy efficient appliances, and sunlight for illumination, piped into rooms through fiber optic cables. To reduce pollution and energy use, both the public and private sectors are promoting green building. The federal government's "Energy Star" program rates buildings and appliances that meet strict energy-efficiency standards. And the U.S. Green Building Council promotes environmental responsibility in the building industry. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 provides tax credits for investing in environmentally friendly home improvements. While some of these improvements can be expensive up front, they eventually pay for themselves and actually save money in the long run. And the growing number of conservation-minded consumers is likely to accelerate the green building trend, which should reduce the upfront costs.