Small, High-Performance House

Designed to Save Energy

Here's the first rule of building green: The smaller a house the better. A small house requires fewer materials to build and less energy for heating, cooling, lighting, and such. At only 990 square feet total on the main and upper levels (there's also a 590-square-foot basement), this home fits the bill. It was constructed by builder Bob Allen (catskillwoodworking.com) for his family in High Falls, New York. Solar power, solar water heating, high-performance insulation, and other features minimize energy costs year-round.