Did you know 67 percent of homeowners want solar panels? Finding an eco-conscious home saves costs and lessens your carbon footprint. If you want to learn more about eco-friendly home builders, keep reading. In this guide, you’ll learn how to build a green home. Your contractor can go over different eco-friendly options to install. Ready to learn more? Keep reading.
1. Use Energy Star Appliances
Energy Star appliances have become popular because families can lower their energy and utility bills.
Your contractor can recommend what devices to install. High-quality appliances will reduce the amount of electricity and water you use. Shop around and pick up new kitchen appliances.
2. Improve Your Home’s Insulation
Cooling and heating account for a large number of your monthly expenses. Excellent insulation reduces the amount of energy needed to keep your home comfortable.
Insulating an old home will cost thousands of dollars. Most new homes have modern insulation to make sure you feel comfortable while lowering energy use.
3. Using a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat is a popular smart home technology item. You can keep your home at a comfortable temperature and save on costs.
You’ll make it easier to monitor your temperature usage.
4. Install Low-Emittance Windows
Some standard features eco-conscious homeowners love to pursue are low-emittance windows. You can maintain your cooling and heating usage with these windows.
The glass reflects harmful UV rays and heat, keeping a cooler temperature. Yet, these windows won’t darken your home.
5. Energy-Efficient Lighting Options
Consider investing in compact fluorescent lights and LED bulbs. Most builders maximize the natural lighting. They are adding large windows to make the space feel bright. You won’t need to use lights all the time.
6. Using Sustainable Lumber
Builders who want to attract eco-conscious shoppers will try and use ethically-sourced materials. Builders use reclaimed wood for flooring, to create accent walls, or to put beams on the ceiling.
7. Solar and Geothermal Energy
You could look into installing a solar power system for your home. Improve energy usage with solar panels, and save on costs.
Look into hiring a reputable solar power company. Learn more about the solar panel installation process by checking out https://blueravensolar.com/solar-panel-installation-process/.
You could also pursue geothermal energy options.
8. Use a Cool Roof
You can get a roof replacement with materials that reflect light and heat away from your home. This will increase the efficiency of your home’s cooling and heating system.
Talk about your options if you’re in the market for a new roof.
9. Try Building a Smaller Home
People prefer cozy bedrooms and smaller homes. Shrinking your square footage can help lower the amount of energy your family uses. Floor plans have changed and aren’t always including the formal dining or living room.
Owning a smaller home will result in a smaller mortgage and monthly bills. Assess your goals, and what you’d like to do in the future.
10. Eco-Friendly Landscaping
Garden designs can lower the water you need and improve your home’s eco-rating.
Search for wood chips or even synthetic grass as an option. Lush lawns are stunning but need a ton of water throughout a hot summer. Recycled materials like a tin bath for a planter will show you reuse items.
11. Look Into Underfloor Heating
You can limit the risk of dampness and moist environments for mold. Underfloor heating is an energy-efficient option compared to radiators. It will also circulate cleaner air without all the moisture levels from radiators.
Pick either electric or water underfloor heating, both powered by renewable energy.
12. Try a Low-Flow Toilet or Faucet
Low-flow toilets don’t use as much water compared to older models.
An older model uses around seven gallons of water every flush. Low-flow toilets don’t use more than one-two gallon a flush. If you’d like to conserve water, look into these toilets.
You can conserve water with shower-heads or low-flow faucets. Cut down on your water bill and make your home more environmentally friendly.
13. What About a Rainwater Harvesting System?
You could look into installing a rainwater harvesting system. You will collect rainwater from your roof and store it in a tank. The collected water can get used for sprinkler systems or toilets.
Rain barrels are a standard method of harvesting rainwater. If you have a massive garden, these rain barrels will come in handy. During a hot season, you can save on watering costs by using your harvested water.
Try to place some of the barrels closer to the garden so it’s easier to water your plants.
14. You Could Upgrade Your HVAC System
Cooling and heating your home will cost over 1000 dollars a year, usually. You could save on energy costs by investing in an upgraded HVAC system.
Choosing an ENERGY-STAR-rated HVAC system could improve your home’s overall energy efficiency. You need to find a proper installer for your new HVAC system.
You could also have a few different heating and cooling zones in your home. You will need to buy another unit, but in a big home, it makes more sense. Have more control over the temperatures in different areas.
Work With Eco-Friendly Home Builders
Did you find this guide helpful in making your home energy efficient? You could look into installing solar panels or adding rain barrels to your property. Find eco-friendly home builders who can partner with you on this project.
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