Sustainable living has become a part of mainstream life, with many households and commercial establishments switching over to green buildings. If you are willing to make the transition to greener buildings as well, then here are some green home building tips that would come in handy for the same.
Smaller homes have less impact
There is no doubt that a smaller home would have lesser impact on the environment. So plan the layout of your home properly keeping your lifestyle in mind. Ensure to keep the home manageable and opt to expand only those rooms that really need the space rather than stretching out unnecessarily in all directions.
Choose an apt location
The location of your home plays an important role in deciding its (as well as your) carbon footprint. It is considered wise to build an east facing home as this would help avoid prolonged sun exposure, thereby keeping your home cool. Ensure that your home is not built on environmentally sensitive areas like those prone to hurricanes, floods and earthquakes, etc. Finally, you need to check if your home is located close to public transport systems as well as local grocery shops so that you don’t need to drive to these locations every time.
Opt for solar panels
It may look like an expensive option. But ten years down the lane, you will be thanking yourself for having installed those solar panels in your home. Since you are building your home from scratch, you have a say in how you want it to be positioned as well as where you want the panels installed. You can minimize energy usage around the house by harnessing the sun’s potential. When utilized properly, these solar panels can also produce surplus energy, which you can sell back to the community.
Purchase energy efficient equipment
The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) certifies energy efficient products with an Energy Label star. One way to achieve a green home is to opt for energy star appliances that would reduce energy costs drastically without compromising on performance in any way.
Design a cool roof
A cool roof would keep the rest of your home cool throughout the day. So choose materials that would reflect the sun’s rays rather than absorb them. Some common cool roofing materials you can opt for in this regard are terra cotta, slate, special membranes, metal and white tiles. You can also opt for green roofing although this may be a tad bit on the expensive end. However, a few years down the lane and you will enjoy significant energy savings for sure.
Insulate properly
Improper insulation is one of the main reasons for energy losses as well as increased energy costs. Hence, insulating your home properly is the only way to stop this. Any air leaks around ducts, vents and windows can let out heat or cool air, leading to more energy consumption by the appliances indoors. Proper insulation will therefore, help prevent these losses and reduce your electricity bills considerably.
Install rainwater harvesting systems
A rainwater harvesting system can help your home reduce water usage as well as its related costs to a great extent. Such a system can be as simple as placing a barrel underneath the runoff from roofs or simply placing it out in the open when it rains. The water collected in these barrels can then be used to water plants, flush toilets and even wash clothes.
Opt for eco-friendly lighting
Another green home building idea to achieve an environmentally friendly home is to opt for eco-friendly lighting options. Instead of using standard light bulbs that use more energy, you can switch over to CFL and LED lights that don’t consume much energy, but offer the same brightness as standard bulbs. Plus, they are more durable than standard bulbs, lasting for many years without any damage.
Summary
Thinking of building your dream home? Then consider how you can make it a greener home as well. Making the home a greener dwelling is not that difficult, and the comforts offered can help you save money while you save the environment.
