How do I add green building features when I build my next home?

Look for an architect or builder with a green building accreditation, such as the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program.

LEED-certified professionals can  help with site selection and design, offering advice on energy consumption and sustainable materials, and an independent third party verifies construction is eco-friendly.

Brett Schulz, a highly rated architect in Portland, Ore., says the research required to keep abreast of green innovations takes time, and homeowners can expect to pay up to 50 percent more for a LEED-certified architect.

Documentation to validate your green build can also add several thousand dollars to the cost.

Discuss the size of the home you need, but don’t go too big. “Adding a few recycled materials won’t offset the burden of building a 5,000-square-foot McMansion,” Schulz says.

Energy consumption is another factor to consider. “A green home one that uses little energy,” says Brian Butler, owner of highly rated Boston Green Building in Allston, Mass.

He says making your home airtight can make a huge difference in energy consumption while only adding a 5 to 7 percent increase in building cost.

“It’s tempting to skimp on your window budget, but you’ll regret it,” he says. A tightly sealed house and proper ventilation allows the HVAC system to work more efficiently.