In the next few years, I’ll probably be looking at buying a house, and I’d prefer to have a eco-friendly one over one made out of, say, styrofoam and DDT. But, assuming I wanted an energy-efficient, non-ecologically harmful, somewhat recycled house, how much more would I be looking at spending?

Also, what would it take to install a mostly self-sufficient solar power system in a standard, one-family home?

excellent post...i happen to know someone who definitely has the answers to your question.  he’s a general contractor in asheville that specializes in green building.  right now he is building what perhaps might be the eco-friendly house of your dreams.  when completed (early this year) it will most likely be one of the greenest houses in asheville (sips and a complete solar power system).  hmmm...might make a great story for the mtn express since i’d love to have the same kind of answers that you’re seeking.

We should talk, Steve. Over the past 6 years, we’ve retrofitted an old house (1920s) to make it fairly green (solar hot water and heat, new windows, insulation, insulation, insulation, etc.,). It hasn’t been cheap. If we stay in the house for like another 10-15 years, we’ll start making some return on our investment. But, in the mean time, we can be righteous about it!

Also, we’re about to add on to the home, and we’re trying to that in a green manner. Anyone recommend a green builder or contractor I should talk to?

The WNC Green Building Council is probably your best place to start around here. It’s a good group chock full of experts that can give you the run-down on everything you need to know.

The organization has a directory with all kinds of resources.

The North Carolina Solar Center also looks to have good resources.

To answer your question directly - from the WNC Green Building Council: A good stand-alone solar electric system costs between $20,000 and $24,000, according to their solar primer.

So no - not cheap. A general rule of thumb i’ve heard is that constructing a green house is 40 percent more expensive than an average house. But you can figure in cheaper power bills. And you might qualify for tax credits or rebates, an “energy efficient mortgage” or other incentive programs.

NeutralExistence.com also has some good info.

Good luck!

yeah better be in for the long haul, cos your return on investment can take a long time depending on how green you go.  that said, there is a lot you can do if you are especially building a new house that can make it green. 

1.  site the building properply - to receive the best light, heat+cooling loss/gain
2.  install good windows + insulation
3.  do you really need a basement?  - check out some of the cool eco houses that are sitting up on piers.  it minimizes your grading and the disturbance on the land can be dramatically less depending on your site.

as for upfitting + renos - this is where it can get pricey.  cos you’ve usually gotta put in a lot of cost up front for some demolition to make your house green.