Every morning I usually create a to-do-list of things I have to accomplish for the day, and in celebration of Earth Day today, I've decided to add a couple of eco-friendly chores to my list. While tasks such as opening the windows instead of turning on the air conditioning or turning the lights off in rooms that aren't being occupied seems pretty minimal, I believe some action is better than no action.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to install a geothermal heat pump or a solar electric system in my home, but these energy-efficient gizmos come with a pretty hefty price tag. If you're like me and are still trying to pay off college loans and credit card bills, you can still live an eco-friendly lifestyle without sinking further into the quicksand of debt.

Green revolution

Eventually, as demand increases for these types of green products, more builders will begin standardizing them into their designs. Here are some current data and trends:

• In the American Institute of Architects' fourth-quarter survey of 500 architects, 61 percent said their clients are interested in 'renewable' flooring materials like cork and bamboo, up 53 percent a year earlier.

• The market for green homes is expected to rise from $2 billion this year to $20 billion over the next five years, according to a 2007 report by McGraw-Hill Construction and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

• According to the Retail Industry Leaders Association's New Sustainability Initiative (NSI), 66 percent of retailers have begun the transition to green. The study also found that green flooring will leapfrog from the slowest-growing segment of the green building market to the fastest-growing by 2011. Bamboo flooring imports grew 50 percent between 2005 and 2006.

• Homeowners are using green products such as kitchen countertops made with recycled glass and concrete for 40 percent of their remodeling work, according to McGraw Hill and the NAHB.

• The American Institute of Architect's Local Leaders in Sustainability reported that since 2003 the number of cities with green building programs has risen from 22 to 92 percent.

Calculating carbon footprint
So how green are you? Author Alexandra Shimo-Barry has created easy steps for consumers to calculate their own carbon footprints. In Shimo-Barry's new book, 'The Environment Equation,' she teaches readers how to quickly calculate the amount of greenhouse gases in units of carbon dioxide by following a basic formula:

A) Multiply your monthly electricity bill by 105.

B) Multiply your monthly gas bill by 105.

C) Multiply your monthly oil bill by 113. (If you don't use either B or C, enter 0.)

D) Multiply total yearly mileage by .79.

E) Multiply the number of flights — 4 hours or less — by 1,100.

F) Multiply the number of flights — 4 hours or more — by 4,400.

G) Do you recycle newspapers? If no, add 184. If yes, add 0.

H) Do you recycle aluminum and tin? If no, add 166. If yes, add 0.

A+B+C+D+E+F+G+H = your carbon footprint. A number below 6,000 (reflected in pounds per year) is excellent. Over 22,000? Not so great. Good is anywhere from 6,000 to 15,999, while 16,000 to 22,000 is average.

I see a future where every homebuyer will be afforded the opportunity to live in a fully environmentally sustainable home. For today, on Earth Day, remember to think small and think practical, and your green habits will ease the burden on your pocketbook and the planet.

Got hot local housing tips or a story you want to share? Contact Amy Le at openingdoorsblog@HomeFinder.com.