This post is provided by Jesse Hughes.

Most people are familiar with the usual ways to make our home greener or environmentally-friendly, like using efficient appliances and low-flow water fixtures. But what about ideas that make our homes more eco-conscious right from the ground up" There is only so much we can do once the house is built, so it can be more effective to take green steps during construction as well. 

Professional construction companies like Advanced Group Services (http://www.advancedgroupservices.com.au/) are changing the way they build houses to use as many green techniques as possible. 

Adding Insulation

One of the very best ways to keep a house energy efficient is to prevent heat loss, especially in areas where the winters are below freezing on average. Taking the extra step to keep a house insulated is important for this. Extra layers of insulation in the attic, proper duct and pipe wraps and careful sealing of all potential openings around window and door frames. 
Heat is also lost directly through window glass, so using windows with a high R-value during construction will help keep your heat in where it belongs. 

Sustainable Materials

A great deal of material goes into building a house and it makes environmental sense to use as much reclaimed or sustainable products as you can. Insulation can be made from recycled fibers, wood can be reused from other projects, and even many fixtures can be found second-...