Healthy Home
Outdoor areas, like the deck, should be considered, too. Salvaged lumber is the best, but other lumber is actually less damaging to the environment than metal or concrete. It takes less fuel to make and transport it, and if your lumber is harvested in a country with good conservation laws, the resource will be well protected. Composite lumber is another option. Made from recycled plastics and waste wood, it’s a useful material. However, working with it can be difficult.
Remember that heating and air conditioning are big energy sinks. Use a heat pump to transfer heat from the ground when it’s not cold enough to use a furnace or warm enough for air conditioning. This will reduce your costs for heating and cooling, and help you use less energy. Pellet stoves, solar heat, and radiant heat are also popular choices.