More than a dozen Habitat for Humanity homes are being built with the color "green" in mind, as in extra insulation and double pane windows.
They're also putting in more efficient heating and cooling systems so that the cost is lower for the life of the home. Habitat has been going green for months and is now getting an assist from the Home Depot, which has committed $30 million to make 5,000 Habitat Homes across the country greener with things like programmable thermostats.
Doug Payne from the Home Depot explains, "Lets say, hypothetically, in the winter, you can have it set down to 60-65 degrees and then an hour before you come home from work, bump it back up."
As well as using energy efficient shower heads. Rob Leaf, also from Home Depot, said "It's not just saving water but it's also saving energy costs on heating your water..you're not wasting hot water"
All of which bodes well for the type of people who are going to occupy these homes. They're the ones with low incomes and counting every dollar. And even though it does cost a bit more at the front end, it saves over the long haul.
Phil Prince, from Habitat for Humanity said "The occupants will have lower energy bills as a result of the way these houses are built. Researchers say low income families spend up to 17 percent of their pay on home energy. That drops dramatically in one of these. "
