Before you design a new home or remodel an existing one, you should consider investing in its energy-efficiency- you'll save energy and money in the long run. It's also a good time to invest in a renewable energy system that will provide your home with electricity, water heating, or space heating and cooling. If you're remodeling a home, conduct an energy audit to help you determine what energy-efficiency improvements should and can be made to your home.

Also consider where you get your building materials and look into using recycled materials. The construction of an average single-family home in the U.S. (at 2,350 ft) is estimated to generate between 7,000 and 12,000 pounds of construction waste. Given the two million or so new homes built each year in the U.S., that can really add up.