NBC25 NEWS - Architects and builders are thinking green in everything from homes to skyscrapers.

When most people think of environmentally friendly homes, solar panels probably come to mind first.

Even though those are a part of the green trend, everything from building materials to irrigation can make a difference.

Would you like to live in this four bedroom, three bath home?

Wait until you hear what the utilities cost.

“It's 3,200 square feet, nice windows, hardwood floors, it's a nice home but it only uses about $35 a month worth of electricity," says William Ball, owner of the “Stellar Sun” construction business.

That may sound too good to be true, but it's a reality for Ball and his family.

He started his environmentally friendly construction business many years ago, and he certainly practices what he preaches.

His home is fully solar and was built using durable material.

"We are moving more and more to low voc, volatile organic compounds, stuff that doesn't have formaldehyde in it, things that are sustainable,” Ball explains.

Take the deck, for example.

Instead of using wood - a material that rots and wears down - Ball used porcelain tile and steel railings - materials known to last.

His lawn?  It’s grass free, to cut down on mowing fuel and fertilizer use.

His home is also the model of energy efficiency thanks to extra thick, reinforced walls.

Ball says, "We're being able to build more and more efficiently, super efficiently compared to the standard two-by-four construction-type wall that you'll see out there."

Even the scenic touches are environmental.

A gold fish pond runs off rain water collected in 55 gallon drums.

That water is also used for irrigation.

"It's just the thing of the future.  It's one way of saving some of the resources that have already been used," Ball says.

Johnny Varnadore is talking about a new kind of recycling that re-uses excess building material.

L&W Environmental recently started collecting lumber to be re-used or converted into mulch.

They also collect shingles and concrete which can be made into road base.

"Everything that's back here right now would have gone straight into the landfill.  None of it would've been saved," Varnadore says.

So whether you're looking to build an all-green estate, or just find good use for some extra two-by-fours, in today's society you're just one of many.

This trend seems to be catching on quickly.  Greenbuildingblocks.com estimates that green construction will increase 400% by the year 2010.