Building an eco-friendly home can help you save energy, save money, and save the environment. A net-zero home is capable of generating as much energy as it consumes. Here are some best practices to keep in mind when building your eco-friendly home:

▱ Orient your home to the south, and install a solar conduit and meter

▱ Prewire the garage for an electric car

▱ Source steel, wood, and rock locally—this helps to keep these items out of a landfill

▱ Choose low VOC paint

▱ Seal your home with a weather resistant barrier to minimize draft

▱ Installing a greywater system recycles household water that can be reused to water the lawn

▱ Automated home management systems can help to minimize energy usage

Here’s “Build an Eco-Friendly Home,” a short video from Zillow breaking down the above tips for going green: