If you’re thinking of building your home, you’ve probably scoured the internet for modern floor plans and amazing architectural designs already. That said, one of the most significant aspects you need to focus on today is adding some principles of sustainability to build a greener home.
As green homes becoming a popular trend nowadays, you want to incorporate green and sustainable home building design and practices that help create a positive impact on mother earth while also enjoying numerous benefits including energy savings. So, how do you build a greener home? Keep on reading to find out.
- Consider Location
Green home building starts with your location. When buying a piece of land to build your home, there are some things you need to consider to ensure that you build a green home.
First off, you want to choose a location that is well-connected to larger regions and close to amenities to prevent frequent travels that cause pollution. Also, building in previously developed areas can help reduce the need for water pipes, new streets, utility lines, and other essential infrastructure, and helps in preserving open space and natural land.
- Take Into Consideration Small And Modular Designs
A small home will have a smaller environmental impact compared to a bigger one. Unless you have a bigger family, small homes are also more cost-effective.
And you may want to consider prefab or modular homes. This type of house is constructed room by room in a factory. Once finished, they’re transported to the location where a builder assembles each room to create a home.
Modular homes significantly help speed up the home-building process, ultimately reducing carbon emissions. Most modular homes use eco-friendly building materials too such as reclaimed wood and recycled aluminum and steel.
- Plan For Eco-Friendly Utilities
Basic utilities are one of the most significant factors that influence the sustainability of your home. So, make sure to choose eco-friendly alternatives as much as possible.
- Add Rainwater Harvesting Systems
Whether you’re planning to have a garden or want to conserve water, installing a rainwater harvesting system with a high-quality water tank is a smart choice.
You have a variety of options to consider and this style might be well suited if you’re planning a bigger home or if you’re living close to the road, thanks to its large capacity and improved durability.
A rainwater harvesting system allows you to collect water from roofs which can be used for numerous purposes including flushing the toilet or watering your garden.
- Opt For Solar Panels
Solar energy systems are getting more popular, providing homeowners with renewable and clean sources of electricity. This emerging technology utilizes the natural power of the sun, saving you money on energy bills. You don’t have to rely on the electricity grid which may be using fossil fuels to power your home.
- Use Sustainable Building Materials
If building an eco-friendly home is your goal, sustainable building materials should be on your list. Every part of your home from roofing material down to your flooring should be eco-friendly.
There are numerous products you can use including recycled glass for windows, reclaimed lumber for cabinets and shelves, or natural products such as bamboo for your flooring. Even organic paints help minimize the negative impact on the environment since they break down easily and don’t release toxins into the air.
- Consider Using More Vertical Space
If you need several rooms and bigger space, consider building vertically. Minimizing the horizontal footprint can help keep as much land around the house intact. In general, two-story homes or loft-style homes are popular choices that allow you to get the maximum square footage while preventing disturbance to the surrounding land.
- Re-Think Window Placement
Windows should be placed with intention since it can have a significant impact on the energy efficiency of a room and your home as a whole.
For instance, if you prefer a room to be cooler, a north- or south-facing window should help avoid the sun. Or you can choose to place a window that faces trees to block the sunlight. If you want the living room or kitchen to get a lot of light, then have those windows face the east or west.
Also, think about the size of the window as large or bay windows can make it more difficult to control temperature.
Takeaway
Earth is humanity’s home, but everybody still need a house to live in. And building an eco-friendly home can offer you numerous rewarding benefits. Not only can it helps you reduce your negative impact on the environment but it also helps increase energy efficiency and durability.
Although there are more steps to consider when building a greener home, the above stages cover the basics of planning and building an eco-friendly home.