How to Build an Environmentally-Friendly Home
Keep these factors in mind to build a sustainable house, prepped to give back to your wallet and the planet for years to come.
Many homeowners and hopeful homebuyers have turned their focus in recent years to sustainable solutions for their homes. While it can be difficult to retroactively implement sustainable solutions in an existing home, building a new home comes with a wealth of opportunities to make choices that will benefit the environment in the long run.
Materials
How materials are sourced and how they perform as far as energy efficiency both play an important role in the sustainability of a home. Sourcing your building materials locally cuts down on transportation costs and emissions. Better yet, reclaimed and upcycled materials significantly reduce environmental harm by cutting down on waste as well as production and transportation emissions. Cork, recycled metal, and bamboo have all seen a rise in popularity as building materials. Some are even using repurposed shipping containers as their main source of structure!
Materials that help utilize natural light and heat also go a long way to continuously cut down a home’s environmental impact. Depending on your climate, incorporating materials that insulate well or let in sufficient light will help minimize energy use and cut back the environmental toll for years to come.
In hotter areas, you can take the heavy lifting off of your AC system (and the environment) by keeping your home cool with a roof designed to reflect sunlight and heat instead of absorbing it.
Windows and Insulation
Choosing high-quality windows will not only reduce your costs down the line, but will also do wonders for the environment. 50% of lost energy in homes is due to windows, so taking the extra step for properly-designed windows with multiple panes and the best frame materials will make an ongoing difference.
Choose window treatments with the environment in mind by opting for curtains or blinds that will help retain even more heat or keep out unwanted light, depending on the season. Proper insulation based on your geographic location is essential as well.
Climate Control
Researching and implementing the most energy efficient heating and cooling systems for your area will also cut back on your carbon footprint while saving you money. These can vary based on your climate. For example, swamp coolers (or evaporative cooling systems) use up to 75 percent less energy than an HVAC-based central air system, but they don’t work well in humid climates like North Carolina.
Working together with the experts building your home is essential to ensure you opt for systems that will keep working in the long run, keeping you comfortable while protecting the environment from further damage.
Energy
Choosing smart technology and high-efficiency appliances truly adds up over the years and can make a true impact in helping the environment. Smart appliances allow for precision which cuts down on household waste of electricity and water.
Many homeowners also opt for solar panels so that whatever energy they do use is clean and sustainable. In addition to a huge cut in energy bills, using solar energy helps end our reliance on fossil fuels, cutting down on waste, water use, and pollution.
Outdoor Spaces
Considering your future lifestyle choices as you build your home can also help you create space for living sustainably. If you’re interested in trying out sustainable practices like composting and gardening, build in space in your landscaping plans to do so. Practices like growing our own food may seem small, but they add up significantly over time and as more people do so.
Considering your outdoor features in terms of shade, water use, and value to pollinators is another low-cost way to look out for the environment and your wallet. Choose lawn size, irrigation systems, and plant species based on the native climate and ecosystems to play a positive role in your home’s surroundings.
Ready to plan out your Earth-friendly dream home? Get started with Atmos experts on your home building journey today!
