Renovations take many forms. Some work is as simple as new paint. Some projects change the entire interior of an existing house.

Here are several examples of green options for use in renovations:

- Paint that room! Use a no-voc (volatile organic chemical) paint. Just ask your favorite paint store for a no-voc product. Improves indoor environmental quality.

- Replace that faucet or toilet. Install low flow plumbing fixtures. Reduces water usage.

- Lights burned out? Replace with compact fluorescent lighting (CFL’s). Better yet, buy a box of CFL’s and replace incandescent lights as they burn out. Saves energy, cuts greenhouse gases, and saves you money.

- That old water heater dies? Replace with a tankless type that heats water instantly and only on demand. Saves energy and saves money.

- The furnace or air conditioner folds? Replace with high efficiency models. Saves energy and reduces utility bills.

- Remodel the kitchen? Many possibilities here including use of salvaged materials, resource efficient flooring, counter tops and wall finishes, energy efficient appliances, low flow faucets and energy efficient CFL’s for lighting.

- Replace a window? Use windows with insulating glass, low-e coating and inert gas fill like argon for greater energy efficiency.

- Generally ticked off about the cost of utility bills? Have a look in the attic. Is there insulation? If not or if there’s just a little, have insulation blown in to provide an R-60 rating over the ceiling area (about 1 foot thick). Those utility bills will be less of a pain.