In this modern era, global warming and high living costs have become severe issues. An eco-friendly home can tackle both of these problems in one go. Doing so will not only make living comfortable, but also the environment will receive a low level of damage.
Furthermore, the house will appear aesthetic, and the home elements will be sustainable and pay for themselves. Also, eco-friendly houses are sold out much faster in comparison to their non-eco-friendly counterparts.
Let’s find out the five ways to create an awesome eco-friendly home.
Going Solar
Using solar energy is one of the most common elements of an eco-friendly home. The intense solar energy from the sun can help power up all the electrical appliances at your home.
If you end up storing more energy than you need, most cities allow you to sell that energy to the grid. This way you won’t have to worry about having high electricity bills.
Even though solar panels come across as costly in the beginning, it is a one-time investment. The location of the house and the manner of constructing the solar panels determine how much solar energy will be stored.
Solar panels provide further benefits, through grants, tax breaks, and other government incentives.
Let the Roof Do the Cooling
Using an air-conditioner leads to higher electric consumption. Using a cool roof is an effective method which takes the second spot to create an eco-friendly home. When we say “cool roof,” we don’t mean one that is trendy. We mean one that literally remains cooler.
It works by reflecting the sun’s energy away from the house to reduce the heat intake, and cools off quickly as night. It also holds less heat for a lesser amount of time. To create such a roof, you can make use of materials like slate, terra cotta, white tiles, and special membranes.
Another way of having an effective roof is to turn it into a living roof. Such roofs are designed to hold plants that will grow on the roof. The plants will catch and filter rainwater, and consequently the house. This prevents the rainwater from going directly into the storm sewer system.
Using Sustainable Construction Materials
Using recycled and/or reclaimed products, such as glass, recycled plastic, and lumber can prove to be very efficient. Doing so removes the need to cut down more trees for more lumber. More harmful gases will not be produced during glass and plastic production.
Using renewable natural resources is another way of lessening damage to the environment. For example, bamboo, cork, and linoleum are renewable natural resources that you can make use of. Did you know that bamboo reaches its full size in just a few months, while it takes trees years? It’s true! This is why bamboo is more eco-friendly than traditional lumber for interior construction, such as floors and furniture.
Taking Thermostats to the Next Level
Thermostats do the work of an air-conditioner, as well as a heater. The only difference is, it regulates the temperature of the entire house. In such cases, user carelessness can cause electric bills to be gigantic.
These advanced thermostats can be programmed to adjust the temperature by taking several factors into account. They can be programmed to change temperature based on the time of the day. Furthermore, it can be programmed to detect the presence and absence of people and regulate the temperature accordingly. This way there will be no risk of having massive bills when the house is left empty.
An important feature of such thermostats is that they are durable and long-lasting. Therefore, the money and effort for either maintenance or replacement are not required.
The Rising Demand for Eco-friendly Homes
The rise of pollution and living expenses are driving people to develop this awareness and turn to eco-friendly homes. In today’s world, eco-friendly and custom are one-in-the-same. While it is possible to reduce the carbon footprint of an older home, many homeowners are choosing to forgo the expansive renovations and just build custom.
The best and easiest way to do this is to choose reliable and experience builders like The BC Team. Find a team that will work within your budget, listen to your list of needs and wants, and is well-versed in a green construction process. This way you can discuss the ways you want and can construct your eco-friendly home. By doing so, you will be leaving things in the hands of professionals, who will provide you with top-notch results. The environment will thank you for it!