So you've taken the first five steps to making your home a little greener. These next steps are still pretty easy, but some have costs as well.

1. Purchase High Efficiency Appliances: Saving energy and money through the purchase of high efficiency appliances can truly make a difference. Sure they may cost more up-front, but over time, they will pay that back plus more. Some models can use 1/4 to 1/5 the energy of the standard models. Most people are familiar with Energy Star ratings and you've seen the logo. Those appliances are the best for most budgets.

   Whether you are in the market for a refrigerator, dishwasher, washing machine, air conditioner or other rated appliance, they aren't all created equal. Just look at the typical energy usage to determine which ones are the best. For the truly eco-conscious consumer, there are super high efficient appliances out there.

2. Collecting Rain Water: As we mentioned in the previous article, saving water is extremely important to the environment. Most homeowners use potable water for all their water needs, from drinking water to watering the lawn. Much of the water that falls in the form of rain and snow ends up in our water treatment systems, but by installing rainwater collection barrels you can keep this water for irrigation purposes.

   You save water two ways: You don't pay for water to irrigate your lawn and you keep excess run-off from over straining our public water treatment systems.

   These are easy to install too. Just cut your downspouts to the right length, position the rain barrel underneath the downspout and wait for rain. The mechanism for using the water after it is collected varies, but usually it's pretty simple. The basic models have a simple spigot near the bottom of the barrel. More advanced models have short hoses, but for the most functional barrels, an electric pump can be added which allows you to use longer hoses to water your whole lawn. For those willing to take this to the next level, especially in areas with high rates of precipitation, the use of an in ground cistern might be a better choice. If you have the precipitation, the money and the desire, a larger system can also be used to replace some of your domestic water needs inside the house. Check your local codes to find out where rain water can and can't be used.

3. Reducing 'Vampire' Loads: What are these 'vampire' loads you ask? Those little LED lights on your television, the clock on your DVD or VCR, the infrared sensor on any electronic device that needs a remote or any other device that has a standby mode. Those little lights may not seem like they take much power, but when taken together and over a long period of time, these electric loads can add up to some substantial electricity and money. To see how much your electronic devices pull when they are 'off' or in standby mode, you can purchase a device known as a kill-a-watt (http://www.p3international.com/products/special/P4400/P4400-CE.html)

   There are a few ways you can tackle these vampire loads. The easiest way is to use your power strips to cut the power off to groupings of electronics such as entertainment centers, computers and accessories. It may take some time to get used to doing this, but the behavior specialists tell us that after 2 weeks of persistence, it will become habit. The best time to switch off the power bars is when you are asleep and when you are at work.

   Another strategy is to install a whole house switch. A whole house switch allows you to turn off all non-essential electronic circuits as you leave the house or as you go to bed. The installation is typically handled by a professional. A whole house switch can make the behavioral modification easier, but it does come at a higher price.

4. Installing High Performance Windows: This one may be pretty easy but it's also pretty expensive. For those out there building a new home, this might be a more reasonable strategy than for those wanting to do home improvement on a budget. There is some terminology that you need to familiarize yourself with first. Double and triple pane windows are the most efficient. After you choose one of those, consider getting windows that are filled with inert gases, argon or krypton. The gases help to slow the conduction of heat through the window. Another helpful technology to consider is low-e coatings. Low-E coatings help to slow the emissions of solar radiation into the interior spaces of the home. The best low-e coatings are those applied to the interior of the window, but you can also get after-market films applied to your windows.

   Without getting too much into the science and mathematics of it all, you should be looking for windows with low U-factors. The U-factor (or U-value) is the windows rate of heat loss. A lower U-factor means that a window will act as a better insulator against heat loss.

   When it comes to the frames, there is less impact, but the frame is still very important. The most efficient frames are wood or composite materials - they conduct less heat than their metal counterparts. Wood doesn't always handle the extremes of outdoor weather, so consider aluminum clad wood windows. They are more expensive, but the performance and endurance of these windows makes them a good bet for your finances over the long run.

5. Use Low or No VOC Paints and Finishes: So far we have discussed strategies that focus on reducing the consumption of resources, but that's not the whole picture. It is also important to create healthy environments within our homes. Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs, are chemical compounds which vaporize under normal conditions. If you smell something from a household cleaning product, that is likely a VOC. Not all VOCs are bad, but many of those used in paints, stains and varnishes are. In lab testing, VOC exposure has been shown to cause eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches, loss of coordination, nausea; damage to liver, kidney, central nervous system and even cancer.

   Paint and finish manufacturers have started to produce lines of their products that drastically reduce if not eliminate the VOCs. By using these products, you greatly reduce the amount of toxic air in your house. You also get the benefit of not having to be in a house with that freshly painted odor. You will probably pay a small mark-up on the paints, but the real savings will be hidden in smaller medical bills down the road.

   VOCs also have an effect on the larger environment, polluting water sources, creating smog and contributing to global climate change. If we all reduce the use of VOC based paints and finishes, we can make a difference in both our home lives and the environment as a whole.