As climate change and global warming become a major concern all over the world, different sustainable ways are being implemented globally to minimize further contribution to these phenomena. Each person living on this Earth can help in reducing the negative impacts of human activities on the environment; one great way is building an eco-friendly home.
Building an Eco-friendly Home
An eco-friendly home is designed and built using sustainable materials and technology; it is a home that minimizes the carbon footprint and has low energy consumption. An article published in Forbes mentions that more and more people are getting interested in building sustainable homes. This is out of people’s increasing concern to protect the environment.
Interest is a great starting point to start living in an eco-home. The next step is figuring out how to build it.
It starts with the pre-construction stage. Selecting a general contractor that has experience in green building is important. These contractors are usually Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified by the US Green Building Council. This certification is based on a rating system of how cost-efficient, healthy, and green construction projects are.
Construction
As mentioned earlier, a home is considered eco-friendly by the materials used in the construction. Organic or recycled materials are considered sustainable and reduce damage to the environment. Reclaimed steel, for example, is the most recycled material around the globe; bamboo is an organic material that is slowly gaining popularity around the world.
Bamboo is a great sustainable material because it is easy to grow instead of trees such as cedar and pine. It is a natural material with greater strength than bricks or concrete; it also has great resistance to tension comparable to steel.
Aside from using sustainable materials, how these materials are used and constructed must also have a minimal carbon footprint. For example, using an electric forklift during the construction of your home is more eco-friendly than a gas-powered forklift.
Design is also important in incorporating energy-efficient systems in your home. For instance, incorporating a cool roof in the design can improve temperature control inside your home. A cool roof can reflect the heat of the sun, therefore maintaining the cool temperature indoors; it’s a smart design that reduces the use of air conditioning during hot days.
One of the most important design aspects of a home is paint. In building an eco-home, consider using biodegradable paint. This kind of paint degrades naturally and does not contaminate the soil. Using eco-friendly paint is also beneficial for your health. Most commercial paints have volatile organic compounds that can damage your lungs.
Tapping Nature’s Power
Using renewable energy sources to provide power in your home is also a key in building an eco-home. Instead of using electricity that burns coal and fossil fuel, why not harness the power of the sun?
To harness solar power, you must have a solar panel in your home. Solar panels or photovoltaic panels gather the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity. These panels must be placed on top of the roof where they can get maximum exposure to the sun.
Using solar energy in your home not only reduces your impact on the environment; it also reduces your electricity bills. Since it is a renewable source of energy, you can use it as long as the sun keeps on shining, and it’s for free.
Why You Should Join the Movement
The top reason why you should build an eco-home is to help the environment. We only have one earth, and we must do everything we can to save it; saving it means saving our home. Building energy-efficient homes reduce the consumption of electricity from coal that ultimately produces harmful gases destroying the atmosphere.
An eco-home is also economical; renewable energy sources are cheaper than nonrenewable energy sources. Sustainable homes also secure the next generations’ future. By employing efficient water systems, consumption is lessened, ensuring there’s enough water supply left for future generations.
A green home also increases your property’s value. Recent studies have shown that in the US, most green homes have higher resale value than regular homes. Buyers also prefer sustainable homes as they become more conscious of the impact they are making on the environment.
On top of it all, living in an environment-friendly home leads to a happier and healthier lifestyle. It does not only positively impact your physical health. Studies have also shown that an eco-home’s harmonious and efficient design contributes to a happier and stress-free living space.
