She often works with clients to find the solar panels that work best for their home and energy bill budgets. “With solar panels, homeowners can significantly reduce their dependence on traditional electricity sources, leading to substantial savings on their electric bills over time,” Lowe says. These systems will reduce energy expenses and are a great feature for energy-efficient house designs.
- You can also create cleaning solutions using natural ingredients like vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice.
- Not only is it light and inexpensive, but it’s also really strong which makes it an alternative method to concrete and has a greater tensile strength then steel.
- Try implementing some of the tips we discussed in this post and see how easy it is to go green.
- Reducing meat consumption conserves large geographical areas currently occupied by livestock farming and greatly reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Forest Hills Gardens – Queens
Energy-efficient windows also use a low-emission coating which reduces UV damage to your furniture, floors and carpets. Installing a smart thermostat How to make your home more environmentally friendly is another great way to save energy and cut costs. Most thermostats have an energy-saving setting to help you regulate the temperature in your home.
Ways to Build A More Eco-Friendly Home
When it’s time for you to shop in a new mattress, invest in an eco-friendly option—i.e., one that doesn’t contain VOCs, which are often found in flame retardants, formaldehyde, plastics and polyurethane. And be sure to recycle your old mattress so it doesn’t end up in a landfill. If you’ve always been interested in solar, but aren’t really a fan of how they look, companies such as Tesla now offer solar roof tiles. A solar roof tile integrates https://ecosoberhouse.com/ the roofing material and the solar panel into one building material and from the street looks seamless. And while fibreglass has been around for decades, newer additions to the realm of recycled content insulation include shredded denim and shredded newspaper. To create denim insulation, scraps from mills and discarded clothing are ground up into small pieces, pressed into large mats and then cut to fit wall and ceiling cavities.
Harvest rainwater
Nowadays, there are a ton of modern materials used for the structural components of a home, yet many traditional methods still remain thanks to their efficiency and sustainability factors. We envision a world where clean, renewable energy sources power our lives, and recycling becomes an integral part of everyday living. Pesticide use can contaminate water, threatening local aquatic systems as well as the wider ecosystem. These chemicals are harmful not only to ecosystems and human health but also to pets and wildlife. To keep a healthy garden without using chemicals, use practices like companion planting, frequent crop rotation, and promoting plant health to boost natural pest resistance. LED light bulbs are extremely energy-efficient, utilizing up to 90% less energy than standard lights.
Bartone also suggests avoiding upholstered goods with added flame-retardant chemicals. These steps reduce off-gassing, which can decrease indoor air quality. In addition, Galvao points to Greenguard Certification, provided when an item meets chemical emissions standards. Double-pane windows help keep cold air out in the winter and heat from the sun out in the summer. The high-performing windows can reduce the amount of heat escaping by up to 50%.
Consider geothermal heating
A “well thought-out floor plan that doesn’t waste space” is another key element of green architecture, according to Homa. An efficient layout is more effectively heated and cooled to save on energy over time. Plus, a right-sized (versus oversized) home saves on building materials and energy upfront. Layouts should also be designed to last, with universal design principles in mind, to avoid major renovations down the line. Solar panels on your roof will source clean, pure energy directly from the sun, thereby reducing the use of fossil fuels. Ideally, you’ll need a sunny, south-facing roof that’s in good shape to support the panels.
Material Selections
- Therefore, energy-efficient HVAC (heat ventilation air conditioning) is a key part of sustainable house design.
- They might be a little more costly upfront, but think of the savings on electricity and less frequent changing of the bulbs!
- Transporting local materials will generate fewer emissions compared to supplies that need to come from across the country or even across the world.
- Implementing solutions for reusing home greywater for gardening can also help to increase sustainability.
- Take a look at our wrap up of the different types of eco-friendly insulation for more.
A billion plastic toothbrushes are thrown away in the United States annually. Made with polypropylene plastic and nylon from fossil fuels, toothbrushes end up in waterways, gravely impacting marine life. To help curb this phenomenon, go for bamboo or wooden toothbrushes, or electric ones with replaceable heads.
LEED recognizes energy-efficient building practices and projects that meet their energy-efficient standards. LEED is certified by the USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council), and there are multiple levels of certification. However, Homa notes that LEED is more prevalent in commercial design than residential design. There are many other green-related credentials you might encounter, including the National Association of Home Builders’ Certified Green Professional (CGP) certification. Even a smart home system that controls temperature and electricity usage or monitors for water leaks can up a home’s efficiency, says Galvao. Consider slow decorating, a design trend that promotes mindful selection and quality products rather than buying quickly available, low-quality products that fit an immediate need.
- One of the standout features of this eco-friendly enclave is its extensive network of bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly streets.
- Most fibreglass manufacturers use anywhere from 40 to 60 percent recycled glass.
- Green living requires planting the right kinds of plants in the right locations.
- There are many other green-related credentials you might encounter, including the National Association of Home Builders’ Certified Green Professional (CGP) certification.
When thinking about fitting this type of heat system, it’s essential to note that you’ll also need a existing central heating system for a heat pump to work. If you’re repainting a room, why not give the much-talked-about eco paints like Lick a whirl. All of their paint is both water-based and low VOC (volatile organic compound) which means they omit fewer harmful chemicals, making them a more easily biodegradable end product. With so many amazing home decor brands making sustainability their core focus and ethos, it makes more sense than ever to decorate green. According to the Trust, PV systems are classed as permitted developments which means there’s no need to apply for planning permission.