5 Features Every Sustainable New Home Should Have

Cooper Klein – Contributing Writer

Posted on Monday 19th November 2018
Green Home

 

In an increasingly eco-friendly world where environmentalism has become a way of life and a pressing matter in civilian and governmental circles, it becomes the duty of every homeowner to build and renovate their home with eco-friendliness in mind. Even though the ultimate goal of a sustainable home is to help the earth heal its wounds from the impact of modern civilization, there are numerous benefits for you and your family that can inspire you to raise the green flag.
With increased energy and water conservation using active and passive features, you can create an oasis of sustainability while making long-term financial savings in the process. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the five features every new sustainable home should have.


Active energy conservation


Conserving energy, no matter the size of your household, is an easy task in the modern world, as companies are increasingly offering energy-efficient appliances and lighting. There is really no excuse for not having LED lights in your home, for instance, or energy-efficient appliances in the kitchen and across the household, because they will not only aid the preservation of the environment, but deflate your utility bill to boot.
When you invest in energy conservation solutions from the get-go, you can easily keep your carbon emissions low and prevent your energy bills from putting a dent in your budget. Complement these active features with passive ones (such as wall and window insulation) and a change in energy-spending habits, and you will easily turn your home into an energy-efficient oasis.


Active water conservation


Aside from the kitchen, the bathroom is the most wasteful room in the household. This is where the bulk of your home’s water expenditure occurs, and oftentimes there are numerous ways you can cut needless water consumption in order to alleviate some of the pressure off the municipal supply, and preserve the ecosystem. 
As with any positive change, this one needs to start with you changing your water-spending habits. Once you’ve cut your showering time, you can go ahead and invest in pipe relining to eliminate cracks, blocks, and leaks. Next, introduce faucet aerators, low-flow toilets, and low-flow shower heads. You should also invest in quality pipe and water tank insulation when designing your home for maximum savings.


Designing an eco-friendly home


When it comes to long-term financial savings and concrete eco-friendly solutions, there is nothing that can beat an efficient home design. From sustainable materials to wall and attic insulation, all the way to the double glazed windows, modern architecture firms emphasize the need to build your home with efficiency in mind, instead of bringing in eco-friendly features later on.
This will allow you to benefit from monetary savings right from the start, and it will prevent costly upgrades down the road. Your home should be designed in such a way that it prevents heat from dissipating into the unknown during winter, and preserves a cool living environment during those gruelling summer months without putting stress on your HVAC system.


Opting for solar energy


There is no denying that solar is the only real form of sustainable energy – an infinite supply of clean energy for your home and a realistic way for you to save money at no extra cost for the environment. The green revolution emphasizes the use of solar panels in residential and commercial settings in hopes of alleviating some of the pressure off the municipal power grid. 
In turn, not only will you have minimised energy consumption, but you will have allowed the municipal power grid to supply those in dire need of electricity as well. Depending on the orientation of your home, your solar panel setup could help you establish complete energy independence. 


Going green in your backyard


Interior solutions are but a single piece of the eco-friendly puzzle, as there are many exterior features that can help you build a truly sustainable home. Much like solar panels will help you supply your home with clean energy, green exterior design can act as a passive conservation feature that will help you aid the preservation of the environment. What’s more, features such as vegetable gardens can help you support the organic way of life and instil positive values in your children as well.
By investing in landscaping and growing your own gardens, you will support the production of oxygen, nurture healthy soil, and provide a home to many critters vital for the ecosystem. This way, you can easily supply your new home with fresh air and the enchanting aroma of Mother Nature, while also building natural shades that will act as passive conservation features.

In the modern, environmentally-friendly world, building a sustainable home should be your priority. By introducing these active and passive conservation solutions, you can easily aid the preservation of Earth, while at the same time making long-term financial savings.


 

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