Dream Green & Eco Friendly House Plans & Designs

Green home plan (sometimes written "homeplan") popularity grows each day as homeowners seek to build smaller, more efficient, "green" homes. "Going green" is a smart choice from a monetary perspective. For one, many green homes save money on construction costs up-front due to their smaller size and compact footprint (a trait which can also come in handy if you happen to be building on a narrow urban lot). Green homes also cut down on energy costs by way of extra insulation, more-efficient water heaters, lighting and appliances, and the use of natural daylighting techniques. The green house plans in this collection, for instance, pay special care to window placement and overhangs, so that the amount of sunlight entering the home is controlled properly. Our green home plan designs also anticipate insulation and wall systems ideal for extreme hot and cold temperatures, where the HVAC loads will be high.

Although choosing the right materials and measuring performance are key factors in sustainable living, "going green" is more than that. Green is a design concept. A great home plan that anticipates your family's future needs may eliminate the building of yet another home that will consume additional materials, energy and money. In other words, a true green home must be a well-designed, attractive, flexible home that is a joy to live in for years to come.

If you’re looking for an architectural style that will complement your green home, consider contemporary-modern. Contemporary-modern house plans often feature unusual, slanted (or "shed") rooflines which can accommodate solar panels. What’s more, contemporary-modern home plans will often boast an abundance of windows and/or indoor-outdoor living areas which can play into passive heating and cooling strategies.

Related categories include: Affordable House Plans, Contemporary-Modern House Plans, Starter House Plans, and Narrow Lot House Plans.