Modern American homes negatively impact the earth since the construction techniques employed to build them cause deforestation, acid rain, depletion of water reserves, and other problems in the environment. Single family homes represent the largest market for solid wood products in the United States. In one year alone (1992), an estimated 41.3 million cubic meters of lumber were consumed in the construction of around one million homes.
About 30% of renovated and newly built buildings are suffering from what is known as "sick building syndrome", an exposure to chemical- and mold-laden air. Not surprisingly, unhealthy homes cause illness in people too. Many homes contain radon, asbestos and lead. The Environmental Protection Agency or EPA estimates show that about 2/3 of US houses built prior to 1940 and 1/3 of houses built before 1960 contain lead-based paint.
Pollutant levels inside American homes may be higher by five times than outdoor air. Common indoor pollutants include nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, allergens, radon gas and suspended particulates. Health impacts range from minor respiratory ailments to lung cancer. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases estimate that twenty two million Americans have asthma and allergies aggravated by indoor pollutants and house dust. Kirk Smith, founder of the Greenhouse Crisis Foundation contend that United States homes and apartments account for the largest share of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere worldwide.
As far as carbon dioxide emission is concerned, the United States, China, Russia, Japan, and India accounted for over 55% of the total emission. China surpassed the United States, for the first time, as the number one emitter. The United States trailed slightly in the second place. However, from a per capita perspective, the United States is still way ahead of China, measured at 19.8 metric tons compared to 4.6 metric tons in China.
On the other hand, a green home can reduce environmental impact by as much as 60% compared to standard houses. Green homes have greater energy efficiency and use recycled, renewable and reused resources as much as possible.
Green homes are more efficient in terms of energy than modern standard houses. The EPA estimates that if Americans upgraded their current stock of homes with efficient windows, the US would save $7 billion in energy costs over the next 15 years.
Hundreds of gallons are used by households every day while in green homes a lot of water is saved. Their "gray water", is recycled for watering lawns or gardens. Green homes use only half of the water used by typical buildings built during the1980s. That’s important because underground water reservoirs are being depleted in many areas because of overdevelopment.
Hot-water piping that are insulated very well, toilets that are low-flushing, shower heads that are low flowing, dishwashers, washing machines and faucets are used in green homes to reduce the use of water. Another big potential area for saving water is landscaping, by using plants that are resistant to drought.
In the Seattle landscape, eco-friendly water conservation is being successfully pioneered to protect the city from the impact of global warming. This also includes other green practices in the Seattle landscape.
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