| "body"> | | | | "dome home" might use only a third or even a |
| Forget about tree-hugging - the high cost of energy | | | | quarter of the materials needed to construct a |
| is making environmentalists out of everyone! | | | | traditional house. |
| Homebuilders and homeowners are no exception, and | | | | Aside from using less materials, the materials being |
| it's anticipated that by 2010, about ten percent of all | | | | chosen these days are also more durable than those |
| new homes will be "green." | | | | used in the past. That translates into lower repair and |
| The biggest challenge to green building has been the | | | | replacement costs. Sounding better and better, isn't |
| misconception that it costs more to construct such a | | | | it? |
| home. But if you do the math over the long run, the | | | | Finally, environmentally and financially friendly design |
| money saved will far outpace the money invested. | | | | manifests itself outside of the home, where dry |
| Consider that environmentally sound design actually | | | | landscaping (xeriscaping) helps to conserve water. |
| uses less construction materials, and you can see | | | | "Green" homes also save water with fixtures like |
| that green buildings may indeed cost less to build | | | | low-flush toilets, low-flow showerheads, and water |
| than more traditional methods. Buckminster Fuller | | | | recycling systems built right in. It's good for you, your |
| developed the idea of dome buildings decades ago, | | | | wallet, and your planet! |
| and builders are now capitalizing on the fact that a | | | | |