Recently, here on GO, we talked about green building in fairly general terms, but more specifically, what are some green building strategies? GO is all about giving you fresh ideas and creative examples of effective, smart green building strategies. Often the strategy you choose will depend on a variety of factors including your location and climate, available tax incentives, access to materials and resources, and aesthetic preference, to name a few. The reality is, however, not all green strategies are created equal and sometimes it's better to do one before another.

Here's an example. Assume you have a house that was built in the 1950s and you really want to lower the electricity bills (i.e., use less energy and lighten your environmental footprint). Grandma gave you $5,000 for a birthday and you're going to blow the wad to renovate your home. Some people would say to use that money on a down payment for solar panels. I'd say you might get more bang for your buck spending that money by sealing the leaks in your house, insulating the poorly insulated areas, planting some trees in the southeast corner of your backyard, and switching your fluorescent lightbulbs to CFLS. You might consider the solar panels with Grandma's next $5,000 installment.

With this in mind, Global Green USA has created a list of the Top 20 No- or Low-Cost Green Building Strategies [PDF]. Feel free to click on over for more information on each strategy.

1. Orient Building To Maximize Natural Daylighting
2. Place Windows to Provide Good Natural Ventilation
3. Select a Light-Colored "Cool Roof"
4. Provide Overhangs on South-Facing Windows
5. Install Whole-House Fans or Ceiling Fans
6. Eliminate Air Conditioning
7. Provide Combined-Hydronic Heating
8. Install Fluorexcent Lights with Electronic Ballasts
9. Install High R-Value Insulation
10. Select Energy Star Appliances
11. Design Water-Efficient Landscapes
12. Install Water-Efficient Toilets and Fixtures
13. Use Permeable Paving Materials
14. Use 30-50% Flyash in Concrete
15. Use Engineered Wood for Headers, Joists, and Sheathing
16. Use Recycled-Content Insulation, Drywall, and Carpet
17. Use Low- or No-VOC Paint
18. Use Formaldehyde-Free or Fully Sealed Materials for Cabinets and Counters
19. Vent Rangehood to the Outside
20. Install Carbon Monoxide Detector

The first section relates to energy consumption, the second to water conservation, the third to materials consumption, and the fourth to indoor air quality.