Some of the strategies used in these projects include:

• Job site recycling.

• Insulation upgrades.

• Dual-flush toilets.

• Low-flow faucets.

• Low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paints and sealants

• Cork or bamboo flooring.

• EnergyStar appliances.

• Tankless water heaters.

• Native, drought-tolerant plants, eliminating the need for an irrigation system.

• Pedestrian and bicycle paths incorporated into the design

According to Elias Deeb, project manager for Oak Terrace Preserve, “We’re starting to reach the tipping point where the objection that it costs too much doesn’t fly anymore,” Deeb said. “There’s so much you can do that makes a difference without spending a lot of money.”