AZ Republic Profiles Local Homeowner Who Greened Her Home

This is an example of an inspiring, if somewhat extreme, green home makeover. I'm all for it, if you have the resources: Republic Article

I think AZcentral requires you to pay after a week, so I'l paste a few highlights from the article:

[Delia] Story lives in a 1,500-square-foot house, has invested in making her home an eco-friendly paradise and hopes her way of living will inspire others.

A modest house near Rural and Broadway roads fit the bill. With no homeowners association to contend with, Story proceeded as an amateur environmental chemist.

She took stock of the house's energy-saving benefits, which included built-in shade from a property directly to the west that blocked afternoon sun on the side of the house. Three-foot eaves circling the house kept sun from blazing through the windows. And while most people want the convenience of an indoor laundry room, Story's was detached. That meant using less energy to combat the heat generated during washing and drying.

Story studied big and small changes she could make to her house.

Her goals were to use less water, energy and natural resources. A tour of the house includes a graywater and rainwater recycling system, water sensors to ensure she isn't over-watering her garden and paints that do not contain volatile organic compounds. She even has chickens that produce fresh eggs and serve as a natural pesticide - chickens eat bugs.

I applaud her efforts and hope she succeeds in her goal to inspire other local residents to live a little bit lighter on the land.