While sustainable living solutions may differ geographically, residential building practices share a few similarities. No matter where you live, you may create a sustainable home with modern materials. Such materials can be windows, doors, insulation, fittings, and heating and cooling systems.
What is a Sustainable Home?
There are several ways that a house might be sustainable. A home can be planned to be socially, environmentally, or economically sustainable. For instance, saving money during construction and throughout the home’s life cycle, as well as environmentally sustainable often known as “green”.
A green building is one that has a positive impact on the environment and our climate (1). It also minimizes or eliminates harmful effects during design, construction, or operation.
The council adds that different countries and areas will have different factors that influence their approach to green building. Thess factors include climatic conditions, cultural traditions, building kinds, and so on.
For instance, the U.S. Green Building Council helps design and build more environmentally friendly homes by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or LEED certification (2).
3 Methods for Creating an Environmentally Friendly Home
Thinking of preparing to build your eco-home? These three methods can help you start the transition to a more ecologically friendly area.
1. Enjoy exploring the latest developments
Sustainable living innovations are constantly being introduced to the market. Take Berkeley Lab‘s recent example. The examples show how sunlight-reflecting cool walls can limit heat gain in buildings and save energy expenses (3).
In a study published in peer review, Berkeley Lab and the University of Southern California discovered that reflective walls. Like reflective cool roofs, reflective walls could reduce the temperature of the air in cities (4).
The plan is to apply cladding or paint that reflects solar energy to the outside walls. Urban heat is reduced when sunlight is reflected out of the city. Buildings must meet a few requirements. This includes covering 75% of their exterior with cool wall material that reflects at least 60% of sunlight for it to be eligible for the LEED pilot credit.
The U.S. Green Building Council has given the idea fresh support. They have granted a pilot credit for the construction of cool exterior walls in new residential, commercial, and educational buildings to reduce urban heat islands.
Drip irrigation systems are another example of an innovation that could contribute to more environmentally friendly living at home (5). Drip irrigation is recommended by the University of Rhode Island as a cost-effective and efficient method of watering gardens and yards.
The research group claims that drip irrigation is 90% more effective at watering plants than sprinklers, which are just 65% to 75% efficient. With drip irrigation, water is applied gradually at the root zone of the plant, reducing evaporation and runoff. Reducing plant disease, conserving money, time, and water, as well as lowering labor costs, are other advantages.
Related Post: 5 Purifying Plants You’ll Want Around Your Home
Since we are on the topic of water, this vital resource is scarce in many areas of the nation. Houses in states like Arizona, Nevada, California, and Oregon that are prone to drought can take precautionary steps by installing a grey water recycling system or building a water catchment system.
Rain barrels are the most popular type of catchment system. Barrels can be place beneath gutters to collect runoff from rainfall. After filtering, this water can be utilized for showers and toilets as well as for irrigation. Like drip irrigation, grey water filtration systems within homes can save water by reusing used water for non-potable uses, such landscaping or gardening.
Grey water systems reuse spent water from showers, bathtubs, sinks, and washing machines by filtering and treating it before reusing it for outdoor cleaning, garden watering, and toilet flushing (6). Although the water is unfit to drink, the filtration system allows it to be used for gardening and other home purposes, particularly in areas where the government must impose water usage restrictions.
2. Select the appropriate materials
The long-term cost of a home can be reduced, and its energy efficiency increased with the correct materials. All materials have an embodied energy, or the energy used over their life cycle, from processing and manufacture through product delivery, according to the Building Designers Association of Australia (7).
All your other sustainable living decisions may be undermined by a bad selection of materials that require a lot of energy.
Recycled steel, reclaimed or recycled wood, recycled rubber, recycled plastic, bamboo, AshCrete, hempcrete, timbercrete, enviroboard, and clay brick are a few examples of materials that are ultimately better for the environment (8).
For instance, installing sustainable flooring. Reclaimed wood that has been saved from historic buildings, such as barns, can be put to new uses instead of decomposing in a landfill, which is an excellent way to preserve trees. It also contributes to better air quality because it isn’t manufactured and doesn’t have any dangerous volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Bamboo, cork, recycled glass, recycled plastic bottles, and tires that may be made into carpets are some other environmentally friendly flooring possibilities.
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3. Consider your alternatives for green energy
The average monthly electric bill in the United States is $117.46, in case you were unaware (9). Over time, a renewable energy system can lower your electricity bills and assist in meeting all or part of your needs. These choices include microhydropower, hybrid (combining wind and solar power) and solar electricity systems.
Regarding solar energy, which is the most common choice for homes, the Department of Energy (DOE) recommends the following seven steps (10, 11):
- Examine the energy efficiency of your house.
- Analyze your solar power capabilities and limitations.
- Analyze your solar energy choices.
- Calculate how much solar power you’ll need.
- Request quotes and site evaluations from contractors.
- Recognize the incentives and funding options that are available.
- Work with your installer and utility company to install the system and establish contracts.
Another use of solar is installing solar panels on your roof. They will reduce the amount of fossil fuels you use by obtaining clean, pure energy directly from the sun. Nevertheless, following installation costs, savings may not always be immediately apparent.
According to EcoWatch, it takes roughly eight years to break even (12). One of the most effective ways to lower household energy use is through solar electricity. To support the panels, you should ideally have a south-facing, sunny roof that is in good condition.
Although your roof doesn’t need to be replaced, you should make sure it has a long life left in it. Even though solar panels can be expensive, switching to solar energy can be subsidized and supported by several states for households.
The U.S. Department of Energy advises systems and power usage, determining local laws and standards for small renewable energy systems, and selecting the appropriate renewable energy technology when designing a home renewable energy system.
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To Wrap Things Up
Creating a sustainable home is an achievable goal no matter where you live, thanks to modern materials, efficient systems, and innovative technologies. From cool walls and drip irrigation to grey water recycling and renewable energy, there are numerous ways to reduce environmental impact and enhance sustainability.
By selecting the right materials and energy solutions, homeowners can lower long-term costs and contribute positively to the environment. Embracing these practices not only benefits individual households but also supports broader efforts to combat climate change and promote sustainable living.
Start your journey today and explore the endless possibilities of building a greener, more sustainable home.
Don’t have time for the full article? Read this!
Residential building practices can be sustainable, focusing on social, environmental, or economic aspects. Green buildings minimize harmful effects during construction and operation, while incorporating energy-efficient features like reflective walls and drip irrigation systems. The U.S. Green Building Council supports environmentally friendly homes through LEED certification. Drip irrigation is a cost-effective and efficient method for watering gardens and yards, while grey water recycling systems and catchment systems can save water for non-potable uses. These methods can help transition to a more ecologically friendly area, reducing energy costs, plant disease, and labor costs.
Selecting the right materials and energy solutions can significantly reduce the long-term cost of a home and increase its energy efficiency. Recycled materials like steel, wood, rubber, plastic, bamboo, and enviroboard are environmentally friendly. Installing sustainable flooring and considering renewable energy options like solar power can help lower electricity bills. Solar panels can also reduce fossil fuel use, but installation costs may take eight years. Embracing these practices not only benefits individual households but also supports broader efforts to combat climate change and promote sustainable living.
Sources |
- Home – World Green Building Council (worldgbc.org)
- USGBC | U.S. Green Building Council
- Home – Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (lbl.gov)
- Systematic Comparison of the Influence of Cool Wall versus Cool Roof Adoption on Urban Climate in the Los Angeles Basin | Environmental Science & Technology (acs.org)
- Drip Irrigation (uri.edu)
- Save Water: Reuse & Recycle with a Home Greywater System (elemental.green)
- BDAA – Building Designers Association of Australia
- Enviro Board Corporation | A globally sustainable natural building solution
- Utility Bills 101: Average Cost of Utilities | Move.org
- Department of Energy
- Planning a Home Solar Electric System | Department of Energy
- Calculate Your Solar Panel Payback Period (How Long To Recoup Costs?) (2024) – EcoWatch
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