The object behind "Sustainable Design", or a "Green Design" for your house is simply constructing your home with its environmental impact in mind. How proponents of this movement are selling the idea is the                                     resulting recurring utility cost, tax credits, and closing                                           costs incentives offered by lenders. Some mortgage                                     companies in addition to waiving or reducing closing costs,                                           actually offer a 1/2 point discount. This over the time of                                          your loan can add up to thousands in savings.

As far as building green is considered, there are several materials, appliances, and fixtures that come to mind automatically. Here are a few suggestions you may not think about: 

Natural Lighting? The Daylighting System from Solatube lights dark closets and dimly   lit bathrooms by angling a highly reflective tube as sharply as 90 degrees to reach where skylights can't. Like a lighthouse lens,     the rooftop bubble focuses even indirect sunlight, so the system can work efficiently all day, including at dawn and at dusk.       This, in addition to properly selecting your windows and doors,    can provide a thermal benefit as well as illuminative. You'll only   need to cut on your lights after the sun goes down. 

 

Saving Water? The dual flush toilet gives you the option to flush per your use, thus allowing you to conserve water by not using the maximum amount when you don’t need to. Speaking of flushing water, the "BRAC" system can recycle shower/tub and laundry water so you'll get more use out of what you consume (and pay for).

Finish Materials? Bamboo is 16% harder than maple and it's cost per sq.ft. are about        30% of the cost of granite. Bamboo used along with formaldehyde free adhesives makes for a beautiful,        natural finish material adding an interesting flavor to         your home.  Bamboo is clearly the best choice for         durable countertop surfaces, as well as desks,           shelving, furniture, etc....

Roofing? EcoStar products not only enhance the "curb appeal" of your home, but         increase the longevity of your investment. With the appearance of natural slate, these products provide the benefits of high dollar materials without the baggage most come with. They are made from recycled rubber and plastic and reduce post-industrial waste in landfills. They require only nominal installation materials and weigh less, thus do not require special loading engineering. They come backed with a 50 year transferrable warranty from the manufacturer.

Geothermal HVAC Systems? Most people have a good idea of what these systems          are, but what most people (even some Professionals) aren't             aware of is the application of geothermal benefits to the typical         split system design. When a complete geothermal system is not      desired for your home, a geothermal coolant conditioning system        may be. Here refrigerant lines (carrying the coolant for your         system) can be routed through a series of geothermal wells to      stabilize the temperature of the coolant before it is used in your    systems typical function. in other words, it's more efficient to            cool the refrigerant starting from a median temperature than               the temperature directly from the exchanger. 

Thermal Barriers? Radiosity 3000 is a paint additive made of tiny glass                         beads that reflects the radiant heat from the sun rather than absorbing it. This can actually save as much as 30% of your cooling costs during the hot summer months. 

HVAC Dampers? Have you ever complained that one area of your house is not as comfortable as the next? These individual supply dampers can solve all your problems. These devises open and close to control the air flow depending on a thermostat in the space you're conditioning (not down a hall somewhere).

 Green House? pun intended, In a protected environment you can grow your own herbs and spices, vegetables, and fragrant flowers. Connect it to your house and provide a useful (again, protected) environment for your pets too.