Large houses built with green building methods may be more environmentally damaging than smaller houses that are less green.
Fifty years ago an average 4.2 people lived in an average 1,100 square foot house. Today it is 2.3 people in 2,150 square feet. But while the homes may be more efficient, they are still using more and more energy, as the green features are overwhelmed by the greater overall energy requirements of the larger house.The article goes on to give several examples of large green houses, why we are building them, and some of the alternatives.[Note: Salon is a subscription site, and non-subscribers may have to look at some advertizing to read the complete article.]
Thanks to Ken Firestone
FULL STORY: Great big green monster mansions
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