In recent years, building an environmentally friendly home or updating an existing home to be more energy efficient has become much more mainstream. While building an entirely green residence isn't always fiscally possible, simple eco-friendly building techniques and upgrades will ultimately lower your water and electricity bills. These green home improvements will save you money in the long run, while also saving the planet. The following are some of the easiest ways to lower your carbon footprint when building or updating a home.  Build or Purchase a Smaller Home Smaller homes naturally have a lower impact on the environment. There is less square footage…