Reduce Recycle Reuse

There are multiple ways to reduce our consumption of fossil fuels and other materials while recycling our houses. Some homes will need increased insulation as will room additions. Wool batt or recycled denim (THAT's what happened to all those blue jeans!!!!) are good choices. Some foam insulation systems are made from recycled styrofoam--see, there is a better use for all those coffee cups and take out containers. Products like RASTRA blocks make additions an affordable option. Remember, not only will this kind of consturction reduce your energy consumption in the building process it will also lower your future heating and cooling needs thus lowering your expenses. That means that they can also help you obtain and energy efficiency mortgage. Yep. Lenders will give you a reward for adding energy efficient features to a house you are buying. Check out www.fha.gov for details.

HUD acquired housing is another way to recycle a house that needs a caring owner. HUD does not want to be in the real estate business. HUD guarantees loans for lenders so the lender get their money if the borrower defaults for any reason. HUD then sells the homes through local Realtors. Most need only minor repair and a coat of paint, (non-toxic, of course) and perhaps some earth friendly floor coverings.

In this country we still seem to think that the word "reduce" means some sort of sacrifice on our part. In reality it can bring us more. We can reduce the need for airconditioning by planting appropriate trees and shrubs strategically around our home. We can reduce our use of greenhouse gases and slow down global warming by unplugging small appliances when not in use ---yes, that means turn off the computer....if you use a power strip just unplug it and you have automatically taken care of unplugging all those gadgets at once.

Buying an existing house may allow you to have a bigger lot since many older houses were built on considerably larger lots than is common in most places today. More and more people are reusing other types of spaces for housing from barns tand schools to warehouses and lighthouses. Almost any existing building can be made into a home with a little creativity