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Green House. We all want to contribute to preserving our planet and hope that we're doing our part, but most of us feel a bit of guilt about our efforts at home. We live in homes that were built long before we moved in and we secretly despair of being able to "go green" when the house we're in obviously wasn't designed or built with green living in mind.
The good news is that your home may be greener than you think!
Landscaping, your appliances and the upgrades you've put into your home over the years can all contribute to improving the footprint you're leaving on the earth. Take stock of what your house is like and you may be pleasantly surprised. Many houses today have some green elements in common.
Good use of regional, native plants for landscaping reduces or eliminates the need for watering. This conserves water and reduces soil erosion, both crucial for protecting natural resources.
Proper use of trees and shrubs provide shade on the sunnier side of homes to cool warmer rooms in the summer months and protect the house from wintery winds.
Lots of windows not only improve the view but provide natural light. The more natural light that a home has, the less need there is to turn on lights in the daytime, reducing the use of electricity.
Those same beautiful windows are increasingly manufactured with low-e glass, which transmits heat more slowly than regular glass, upping the insulating quality of the windows.
When installing newer HVAC systems, most homeowners have them installed in attics that are properly conditioned with better airflow, which improves efficiency.
Most homeowners have replaced the appliances in their homes, upgrading to Energy Star appliances with improved efficiency, better insulation and less electrical usage.
Light colored roofs reflect sunlight and keep things cooler so homeowners run their air conditioning less often.
Timers on swimming pools and spas means filters and heaters only run when needed to reduce energy usage. Constant running of these appliances was a waste of energy and a strain on the systems that wasn't necessary for routine care.
Low flow toilets are found in more homes every year and you probably have at least one in yours. Since the late nineties, they've been installed in most homes - and mandated by law in some states - and are one of the biggest water savers you can have in your home, saving up to three gallons of water with every single flush!
You should feel considerably better about how green your home is by now, but don't completely rest on your laurels. For every green feature you already have in place, there may be another you haven't thought about.
If you want to continue greening your home, be on the look-out for small ways you can make changes that will add up to big impact. Here are some additional changes you can make that, individually, may not seem like much but will have a major impact over time:
Bamboo towels are incredibly absorbent, stylish and soft. Why not use these beautiful and elegant alternatives that are made from an easily renewable resource as an alternative to cotton.
Cloth napkins cut down on paper waste and can easily be washed with regular laundry loads, where they take up almost no space.
Do yourself and the environment a favor by using non-toxic cleaners that have been certified green. You can find them in most major chain store these days or order them online. They clean just as well as chemical cleaners but won't contaminate ground water and are gentler for your skin, eyes and lungs.
When you're ready to redecorate, be sure to use low-VOC paints. These paints contain fewer volatile organic compounds, the ingredients that produce poisonous fumes that cause headaches and contaminate the air.
Also add alternative countertop surfaces to your remodeling list. Skip the traditional choices and consider stainless steel which gives you a sleek modern look. There are wonderful recycled glass options that are long on color and style.
With so many options available, it's surprisingly easy to go green and reassuring to know you're already part way there!
A good place to start is FOKaL.com, where you will find hundreds of companies and services that exhibit practices and express concern for the environment. 
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