Say you had $1,000 to invest in green home improvement — how would you spend it? 

Don't worry about where the money came from — if you must, say you earned it, or it came from the green home improvement leprechaun.

Would you buy new, energy-efficient windows? Or bamboo flooring for the living room? What about more insulation for the attic to help lower your heating and cooling bills? What about an on-demand water heater? Or perhaps an upgrade for the exterior of your house, such as a new paint job or fiber-cement siding? Speaking of paint, would you add new color to rooms with low- or no-VOC paint? Would you want new, energy-efficient appliances, such as a new refrigerator? In general, would you want to focus on energy-efficiency improvements to help you save money over time? Or aesthetic improvements you can feel good about?

Obviously $1,000 may not cover all expenses for some of these projects, especially at a large scale. But take a second to daydream: If you were handed a grand of green to make your home more green, what would you most want to do? Share your daydreams by posting a comment below.

Having a “green home” can mean all sorts of things. To some people, it means living in a home that’s free of chemicals or materials that produce any sort of toxic fumes (formaldehyde from furniture or volatile organic compounds from paint, for example).

To others, a green home must be extremely energy-efficient: superinsulated, energy-efficient appliances, and with minimal space. It may even include living off the electrical grid.

If a home isn’t built of natural, local materials (such as stone, logs, cordwood or adobe), some people will say it’s not green.

So, with all these variables in mind, what would be your fantasy green home? Tell us what it would be made of, what types of energy-conserving features it would have or about the design. You can write all about it in the comments section below.

These days, many people are trying to use less energy at home. Not only is saving energy good for the environment, it can save you a lot of money on your electric and heating bills. So what are you doing to save energy at home? Have you turned down your thermostat this winter? Installed compact-fluorescent light bulbs? Added insulation to your attic? Tell us what you’re trying and how well you think it works by posting a comment below.

Need inspiration? Here are a few articles with some simple ideas for saving energy: How to Make Your Home Energy Efficient, Easy Projects for Instant Energy Savings, and Bright Ideas for Home Lighting.

When it's cold outside, who doesn't love a cozy fireplace or woodstove? Wood heat is a comfortable way to warm your home, and there are many reasons it's a practical choice, too.

For one thing, in many parts of the United States and Canada firewood is abundant and inexpensive. Another benefit is that it's a reliable source of power, because unlike most other heat sources, it doesn't rely on electricity. If you heat with wood, even during a blackout, your home will stay warm.

Choosing wood heat is a good option for the environment, too. Burning wood does release some pollutants, but EPA-certified woodstoves are very clean burning. And wood is both a renewable source of fuel, and carbon neutral.

 Whether you're considering buying a woodstove, or just wondering how to get the greatest benefit from your fireplace, a few simple tips can make it easier to work with firewood and help you heat your home more efficiently. Check out these helpful resources for more information.

Different Types of Wood Heat

Guide to Woodstoves. When choosing a woodstove, there are a few basic options to consider.

Wood Cookstoves. This single appliance can be used for cooking, heating and heating water.

Fireplaces and Heat. Fireplaces can either heat your home, or be a net loss of heat. Find out how to get the most efficient use out of your fireplace.

Pellet Stoves. Here's the lowdown on this popular type of heater, including past concerns with supplies of pellets.

Outdoor Wood Boilers. This type of wood heater is about to get cleaner and more efficient.

 Tips for Working with Firewood

How to Chop Wood. Follow these tips to make chopping wood easier and safer.

How to Stack Firewood. Correctly stacking wood will help it dry faster.

The Monster Maul. Learn more about this favorite tool for splitting wood. It's no longer available, but here's where you can find a very similar tool.

Collected Advice from Mother Earth News Readers. More than two dozen homesteaders weigh in on their experiences with wood heat.

Do you have more tips for heating with wood? You can list them in the comments section below.