Green construction of homes is on the rise with 30% of builders dedicated to sustainable building and another third with a majority of consistent eco-friendly projects.
Much of the desire to build and own a sustainable home includes the benefits of low-energy cost, less impact on the environment, improved quality of your home, and a healthier lifestyle.
If you are ready to build the green home of your dreams it is much easier than a decade or two ago. However, it still takes some conscious planning and designing.
Read on to find everything you need to consider when planning your next eco-friendly home.
Look at the Big Picture and Think Small
Your green home design starts with the exterior structure. So, before you get planning on what goes inside think about the size of your home.
The facts are simple, bigger homes take more energy to run and more materials built. This doesn’t mean that you need to compromise on space, rather be aware of it. Think about square footage as a rare commodity. Each foot should have a purpose and a place in your new home.
Tiny homes have become more popular for a minimalist lifestyle. While tiny might not be in your vision, you can use this concept to develop creative solutions that will make your home even greener. Use multi-functional space and furniture to capitalize on comfort, style, and practicality all while lowering your maintenance needs and energy use.
Sustainable and Retainable Materials
In all eco-friendly house plans, there is a goal to lower the cost of power and limit the need for repairs. Finding materials that contain a combination of environmentally safe quality yet durable design will save you much hassle in the years to come.
First, search for recycled materials to cut back on the production of new products. You will find reused materials in installation such as soybean byproducts, cotton, wood chips, and even plastic. Other reclaimed products like soda cans and glass make great countertops and flooring.
Some materials may not be recycled but they do come from nature and last for decades. For example, bamboo, linoleum, and cork work well as an organic alternative to tile, granite, or carpet floors.
A new trend called cargotecture uses old shipping containers as the structure of your new home. These strong aluminum or steel boxes can be fitted together to create architecturally unique homes.
Another source of low-cost, low impact, and energy-efficient material is the use of concrete in your home’s structure. If you read about concrete you will see that it has effective cooling features, requires almost no maintenance, and is easy to construct.
Alternate Energy Sources
Energy-efficient home designs are the main goal in any green home. That is why it’s essential to use the power of the sun for your home’s energy needs. There is more than one way to do this.
Install solar panels on your roof to collect the sun’s energy. If you live in an area of abundant sun you may even collect a surplus of energy that is sold back to the power company, making your solar investment free.
Another way to use the sun to save on energy cost is to place windows efficiently. Natural light is healthier than artificial bulbs and it is free. Design your home to capitalize on the sun’s positions. Include windows in each room that face either west or east.
Where light is needed at night, use LED-energy efficient bulbs. Also, use timers to ensure lights aren’t left on while you are out or sleeping.
Keep it Cool
Sustainability homes may need the sun for power but they also need to stay cool from its rays. Be sure to consider roofing and other cooling options to keep your air conditioning to a minimum.
Materials that reflect the sun also deter heat from being absorbed. Use light-colored products like white tiles, shiny metal, and brown terra cotta shingles for a cooling effect.
There is also the option of a living or green roof. Your roof essentially becomes a garden of grass and plants that naturally cools your home like it was underground. It also filters rainwater to avoid runoff and flood.
Building your sustainability home into parts of the earth is another method similar to a green roof. However, it would further increase its cooling method by using a hill as a wall or even the earth as flooring.
Water Conservation
There are methods in sustainable home designs that limit the waste of water. Your appliances like washing machines, toilets, and showers use the minimal amount of water to cut down waste. Water heaters that use solar energy and have automatic shut-offs also save energy.
Outside your home, you can conserve water by directing and collecting it. Use rain barrels to collect water for landscaping irrigation. You can also direct water to filter it through your garden, watering and cleaning the water as it moves. This limits the use of irrigation hoses and the negative effect of dirty runoff into oceans and rivers.
Living in Your Sustainable Home
Building your sustainable home is just the first step in living a healthy, environmentally conscious life. Continue on your quest to lower your impact while improving your wellness and saving money. Do so by cooking at home using fresh fruits and vegetables, cleaning your home with chemical-free products, and turning off electronics to take time for yourself.
Visit our Home & Garden section for more ways to go green in your new dream house.