Builders beware. Watch the hype. Ignore the fluff. Get rid of the nonsense. And, get back to basics.

Basics? Yes, basics. I don't know if you feel the same as I do but there are so many different products that all say they do the same thing only better. And, you can add this gadget and that gadget to save more energy but at what cost? Gadgets cost money. Gadgets use energy to make and use. And in actuality, what is the net savings? All the bells and whistles that are being added to new homes are really, lets bet honest, just bells and whistles.

Now, I am not saying don't add new innovations. What I am saying is don't add just for the sake of adding. Don't use just for the sake of use. Don't be different just for the sake of being different. Start with the basics. Look at the basic items and see what is the most green for the long-haul. If you do that with the basics, we've just created a tornado of sustainability. Then those bells and whistles? Sure, if they pass the "don't do for the sake of doing" test. We all love those little extras but they need a reason -- they need to serve a purpose.