Previously in this blog, we've written about the efforts that nonprofit Habitat for Humanity has taken to bring affordable housing to families in need across the United States. Not only does this wonderful organization strive to help people, but it also does whatever it can to preserve the environment. 

According to CleanTechnica, an alternative energy news website, Habitat for Humanity has established a new goal stating that all residences it builds will have – at the very least – an Energy Star rating. This standard will actually help make homes cheaper for individuals to inhabit, since energy-efficient technologies can drastically cut the costs of monthly utility bills by as much as 30 to 40 percent. 

Many of Habitat for Humanity's affiliates have already begun incorporating eco-friendly upgrades into the buildings they construct. Take, for example, the organization's Denver, Colorado, chapter, which recently engaged in a pilot program that enabled them to build a house certified through three different Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) initiatives including Energy Star Version 3, Indoor airPLUS and WaterSense.

"The transition to that trio of programs was a natural progression for our affiliate," Mike Amoroso, Habitat Metro Denver's construction manager, told the source. "Those three programs speak directly to the needs of low-income families."

It's always heartening to see these kinds of humanitarian efforts in action. Maryland residents hoping to adopt a more eco-friendly lifestyle should keep in mind that with the state's multiple rebate offerings, including those available from Pepco and Potomac Edison, it may be easier and more cost-effective than you think to make energy-efficient upgrades to your property. To get started, contact a home inspection contractor to request an energy audit.