What products should you use to build a completely environmentally friendly, 'Green Home'? Please answer!?

Question

In Maine

Meaning what types of windows, glues, plants....anything you know of to make a house 'green'.

Answer 1

once you've constructed your home, solar panels and wind mills are essential i'd say.

i used a guide to build a power generating wind mill for my house and it's  noticeably cut my electricity bills. I'm in the process of building my second one, it's not even that hard to do.

i've reviewed the whole process on my blog: http://theearth4energyreview.blogspot.co...

Answer 2

Build a log cabin,Use glass for the windows,and use solar panels.Also for another energy source,a generator would work fine and dandy.  

Answer 3

Basically anything that was sustainably produced, that could mean FSC wood, or reclaimed wood. There are a variety of products that have taken the toxic chemicals out of production everything from framaldahyde free particle board, water base glues, low or no VOC paints. Look for energy efficiency, windows, insulation, roofing, siding, appliances, lighting etc. If you are remodeling or building from scratch consider natural light, air flow and your surroundings to take advantage of natures heating and cooling.

When furnishing the home, you can help the environment with used or antique furniture. If you buy new and can't afford the latest green products go neutral, plan on keeping the furniture for decades with only needing to upholster.

Use natural non toxic cleaners, vinegar, natural soap and baking soda clean most surfaces.  

Answer 4

This company has solar heating, hot water and electric. they service Maine.

http://www.sunpowernation.com

Answer 5

Research "Earthship" concept.

It basically re-uses materials, and uses only new materials that are sustainable or recyclable.

The main structure of the house is Tyres filled with local rammed earth. Wooden frames or recyclable steel frames can locate these within a "normal" style house.

Hardwood beech flooring or recycled floorboards, and roofboards provide the basis, while bottle-walls add light to otherwise dark corridors.

A turf roof over waterproof plastic sheeting not only adds insulation, but provides minimum impact on the housing plot - as the space used for the house is still occupied by grass - not concrete. A large housing estate built this way using part earth-sheltered dwellings looks more part of the natural landscape than modern housing.

On a sloping site, those at the top enjoy a view over meadows - with quite a few chimneys popping up, but otherwise not unattractive.

Those at the bottom have a good view over the lower fields.

These houses are actually very storm resistant. In Earthquake zones, these houses have stood better than others, so is a good design for safety too.