Designing your home in an eco-friendly way doesn’t mean your home has to lack in personality and style. An eco-friendly home won’t ruin or damage the environment and utilizes resources in a sustainable manner. The materials are good for the environment and cost-effective.
One of the reasons people love eco-friendly home is they provide a homey, relaxing atmosphere. Mother Nature can be brought inside with the use of wood, lighting, and stone. Here are some things to consider as you are designing your new eco-friendly home.
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Building Materials
One of the main ideas behind eco-friendly homes is utilizing sustainable building materials. These materials need to be produced with minimal carbon impact. Here are some popular choices:
- Recycled wood: salvaged from demolished buildings
- Recycled rubber flooring
- Bamboo flooring: only takes 3 years to mature
- Cork flooring: uses bark of trees which can regrow
- Cotton insulation: made from recycled cotton materials such as denim
- Blown insulation: comprised of recycled newsprint
As you are designing your home, consider your options available. Which one makes the most sense? Remember, you don’t have to select just one style. You can use bamboo flooring in your kitchen and cork flooring in your living room. You can make a focal wall with recycled wood. Be creative.
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Energy Efficiency
Eco-friendly homes should be as energy efficient as possible. This has the added bonus of reducing your costs as well. When you purchase any appliance, check for the Energy Star label. This appliances reduce the cost of energy but still perform great.
It is important to make sure your house is properly insulated. A house that is poorly insulated can lead to air leaks around the windows and doors. It will take more energy to heat or cool your home. Energy efficient windows are a wonderful investment for your new home.
Every home needs good lighting. A lighting specialty company will have LED and CFL options available. These may cost a bit more, but they use less energy. They also tend to last longer, which helps with the cost. Also, consider how you can take advantage of any natural light. A skylight design can help brighten up a space.
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Alternative Energy Options
When designing your home, it is important to consider the method of energy production used. Some ways are more eco-friendly than others. One of the most popular options is solar energy. You can generate electricity from the sun, even on cloudy days.
However, you aren’t just limited to solar power as the only alternative energy source. Time and development as led to additional options for homeowners. These options are all renewable and environmentally friendly. They don’t leave pollution behind.
Here are some other options to consider:
- Tidal Power
- Wave Power
- Wind Power
- Hydroelectricity
- Radiant Energy
- Geothermal Power
- Compressed Natural Gas
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Other Design Features to Consider for Your Eco-Friendly Home
- Water Conservation: While water is renewable, it is one of the earth’s most valuable resources. It is important to make sure water is not being wasted. Paying more attention to your water consumption is the first step. Next, add in low flow toilets, front loading washing machines, and efficient faucets. Electronic faucets allow water to flow only when need.
- Home Size: Is a large home necessary? Smaller homes require less materials and less energy to heat and cool. A popular option is tiny homes; you don’t have to live tiny, but think about the amount of room you actually need.
An eco-friendly home doesn’t have to lack in style or ambience. Place your home in an area surrounded by trees to decrease the cost of cooling. Find a local expert on building green homes and get started! Designing an eco-friendly home is a fun experience.