Re: I'm looking for idea's to make my home energy efficient

Regarding insulation, you might want to check out soy based spray foam. It contains no formaldehyde and emits no CFCs and almost no VOCs. It fills wall cavities completely, sealing sealing cracks and crevices as well as insulating. It needs to be professionally applied. Blown in cellulose insulation is another green option that could be used in the attic.

See:

http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/107/soyinsulation
http://www.biobased.net/

Regarding windows, you can get them with an R-7 value or higher if you buy double paned low-e windows that are argon or krypton filled. Of course, if you want to restore the house to its original state rather than merely remodel it, there's the question of whether you want to replace the windows at all. (A compromise between energy efficiency and restoration might be to replace all of the windows except those in the front.)

As far as flooring choices go, I would restore the original hardwood floors, if you have them and they are salvageable. Otherwise, I would replace them with bamboo floors or wood floors made from FSC wood.

If you are repainting, there are several brands of low- and no-VOC paints that you can choose from -- though if you are painting over existing oil based paint, you may need to prime with an oil based primer first (be sure to check the paint manufacturer's instructions).

Probably the most important thing to consider when fixing up an old home is safety. Lead paint is in almost all homes built before the late 1970's, so you should use appropriate safety gear if you will be scraping or sanding it. You may also have lead pipes or galvinized steel pipes with lead in them. If so, you can replace them or use a filtration system that removes the lead. There may also be asbestos in the home (e.g.- in blown in insulation in the attic, etc.), even if it wasn't there when the house was originally built. Be careful not to disturb it if you encounter any. Additionally, I would have an electrician check the wiring to make sure it's safe and have him rewire if necessary. You may also want to have the foundation checked to make sure there isn't a problem with cracks and leaks. Older basements often were not sealed on the outside. There are other potential environmental hazards, but these are some common ones.

See: http://realestate.msn.com/buying/Articlebankrate.aspx?cp-documentid=1856...

If you have the money and can find a contractor that specializes in green remodels, that might be worth exploring.

Good luck -- it sounds like a fun project.