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I don't think the article actually answered its own question. Given the sub-heading of "upgrades" most readers would assume this is talking about existing homes, so the question is, what "green" upgrades to an existing house are likely to pay back well. For the most part, replacing something that is in good condition just to get a more efficient version will probably not pay back quickly, but when your furnace, your windows, your appliances, your siding or your roof need replacing anyway beacuse of their condition, those are opportunities for cost effective upgrades. When you replace your heating or air conditioning, a highly efficient model may repay the extra cost in less than a year. The climate you live in will greatly affect your savings. In a cold climate with old single pane windows, it may well pay to replace windows even in fairly good condition, but in warm climates it probably will not pay to replace perfectly good windows just to go to double pane windows, which have much less effect on cooling costs than on heating costs. In warm climates, you would likely be better off adding shading on the south side (e.g. with trees or awnings). In terms of the overall environment, not just your own utility costs, it is also true that throwing away appliances in good condition to get a slight improvement in efficiency may well waste more resourses in total than are saved because it takes a lot of energy and resources just to make the appliance and to dispose of it, as well as to operate it. The same is true of government subsidies: If the government has to subsidize something to make it worthwhile to the consumer, that is probably because holistically the subsidized item consumes more resources than the unsubsidized one - not always true but very likely so. Also of course, it makes a big difference whether you use your own labor or have to hire someone else to make the improvement. If you can do it yourself you may well make something pay back that would not pay back for you if a contractor did it for you, but that depends on how you value your own time. If you enjoy DIY jobs as a hobby so that you don't consider your own time as a cost, then you will likely find many things that can save you cash.

I am www.sunfree.net and have been a into energy conservation for over 30 years. I've tried to work with the local power companys, All State governments and the Federal government to help people reduce their energy consumption but only now has it mattered. I also beleive in re using heat energy we normaly dispose of to help keep my home warm not requering me to use my gas furnace or fireplace. Works gret for us !!
Thank You
Cary Johnson
www.sunfree.net

LEED Note: The acronym actually stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), not Leader in Energy Efficient Design. And the Green Commision refered to would actually be the US Green Building Council (USGBC). Currently, there is a LEED rating system for both Homes and Neighborhood Development (still a pilot version). More accurate information can be found on the USGBC website at www.usgbc.org