Developing green homes means using design and construction techniques to achieve energy and water efficiency, healthy indoor air quality, inclusion of products that are better for the environment, and reduced material waste. Sustainable building offers many benefits to homeowners. Use of energy-efficient appliances and construction techniques will significantly lower home energy bills. Resource-efficient design reduces material costs and waste generated during construction. Indoor air quality can be improved by avoiding construction materials and finishes that contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde. Buying products that are durable, sustainably produced, or made from recycled materials can lower lifetime costs as well as the burden we place on natural resources. Landscaping with strategic placement of trees can increase comfort and cut energy bills. The need for watering and weeding is reduced with the use of native plants.