Is a green home worth the extra green?

With Earth Day's approach a big reminder of the environment, it's green versus green.

A new, national poll from Rent.com, owned by eBay, compares people's commitment to green living with how much they'd be willing to pay for it. April 22 is Earth Day.

When asked "how important is it that you live in an eco-friendly living space?" 51 percent chose "I would like to, but only if it doesn't cost more money," according to the survey of 1,000 people. But 29 percent replied it was "important" and 6 percent said "absolutely necessary," results show.

Forty-five percent said they wouldn't pay more rent to live in an eco-friendly apartment, but the rest were willing to reach deeper into their wallets, with 28 percent taking out $50 and 8 percent taking out $200, the poll found.

There were other questions as well.

The eco-minded want to live among their own kind. Some go for hybrid-car driving actress Cameron Diaz (29 percent); former vice president, green activist and author Al Gore (22 percent); philanthropist, environmentalist and actor Leonardo DiCaprio (20 percent); and actor Ed Begley Jr., whose extreme commitment to green was taped in the "Living with Ed" reality show (18 percent with renters and 8 percent among non-renters), the poll said.

Of course, there's the issue of sacrifice. Big appliances consume lots of energy, and when asked which one they'd give up, the plasma TV was more important than the dishwasher. Thirty-two percent said they'd sacrifice the TV, but 45 percent ditched the dishwasher, the survey said. Twenty-two percent refused to sacrifice anything, while 15 percent were cold to the microwave, according to Rent.com, which has Long Island apartments but users, even though the search is free, must register.

Asking for improvements before signing the lease may be the best way of getting a more green apartment, Rent.com said. Landlords often paint before the new tenant moves in, so ask about choosing an environmentally-friendly paint, the online business suggests. When touring apartments, ask if it's insulated because many older buildings aren't, the site said, and if the landlord installs insulation, it will save on energy and electricity costs.