Introduction
With an increasing public awareness about the environment, individuals are finding ways to make an environmental impact. Homeowners are now doing their part, constructing what some identify as eco-houses. By using sustainable practices to work in harmony with the environment, eco-houses are making a difference— for the homeowner and for nature. An eco-house is built using sustainable practices and materials.
Note: Find construction information and good home building companies like Grit Build at https://gritbuild.net/
The house not only benefits nature, but it also benefits its residents in terms of health, well-being, and financial security. Eco-houses are leading the way in energy and resource efficiency because they are built to last, using non-toxic and sustainable materials, and are designed for solar exposure and natural ventilation to reduce energy use.
Why Go Green?
What are the reasons to choose a “green” home? Well, for one, they cause a lot less damage to the environment. Compared to conventional homes, those built with sustainable materials and systems consume far fewer nonrenewable resources, like wood, and far less energy in the construction process. And residents of green homes, in the long run, need to obtain and burn a lot less fossil fuel. This has a “by-product” benefit: Lower energy demands mean fewer power plants—those with any kind of fuel source—need to be built.
Eco-Friendly Upgrades for Your Home
1. Energy Efficiency:
- Upgrading Insulation: Proper insulation in structures such as walls, roofs, and floors can lead to significant energy savings. In the winter, it helps to keep heat inside the house from escaping to the outside (and vice versa during the summer). In an energy-conscious household, adding insulation is typically the first and foremost thing you should do.
- Installing Energy-Efficient Windows: Windows are poor insulators, by and large. And that’s not cool. Installing new windows (preferably ones with low-emissivity coatings) can make a big dent in your energy bill, because you’ll be losing a lot less conditioned air through them.
- Choosing Efficient Appliances: Whether you’re in the market for a new fridge, washing machine, or something else, look for models with the government-backed Energy Star label. (Since it’s claimed by nearly every manufacturer on nearly every box, you should actually look inside the cardboard box for the label.)
2. Water Conservation:
- Prevent Water Leaks: To save water, fix any dripping faucets or leaking toilets without delay.
- Use Low-Flow Fixtures: Reduce water usage by half by switching to low-flow toilets, showerheads, and faucets.
- Catch Some Rain: See if rain barrels can be put to good use in your yard, collecting water to be used for irrigation or other non-potable purposes.
- Be a Smart Yard Owner: Scale back your thirsty ways of maintaining the yard by choosing drought-tolerant plants and xeriscaping techniques.
3. Sustainable Materials:
“Use recycled or reclaimed materials” is a recommendation that seems simplistic but, in fact, encompasses many different materials and structural practices. The next sentence starts with “choose sustainable flooring,” which is not a bad idea, as there are an abundance of beautiful and low-cost alternatives to hardwood flooring being grown and produced right now. “Select low-VOC paints and finishes” is good advice that makes your home smell nice while keeping your interior air quality high. Finally, “consider natural insulation” is a marvelously multitasking piece of guidance. It wouldn’t be fair to sum this up with a single “trick” but, rather, offer several different ideas.
4. Renewable Energy:
Put up Solar Panels: Solar panels offer a way to lessen our dependence on fossil fuels. You may wonder what happens when there is no sunlight. Solar panel arrays store electricity in batteries for use even when the sun is not out. They are more efficient than common batteries at producing energy and store enough of it to power entire buildings and even whole communities.
Additional Eco-Friendly Tips
- Change Food Scraps Into Compost: Instead of creating a smelly, slimy mess in a landfill, compost food waste and combine it with yard waste. After a few months, this mixture will become rich, dark, biologically active soil that you can use in your flower and vegetable gardens.
- Initiate an Urban Reforestation Program: Partly because of the rich soil and ample water, trees grow extremely well in the Pacific Northwest. By white-washing the trunks of relict trees and planting young, native trees near them, you can ensure the next generation of trees will grow in your neighborhood.
- Switch to Non-Toxic Cleaning Solutions: Household cleaning supplies are a significant source of indoor air pollution.
Conclusion
Transforming your home into an environmentally conscious space returns something to you that feels rich and satisfying. It is much like the reward you get when you eat a good meal at an eco-friendly restaurant. The people sharing in the experience are positively affected, and even if they don’t say anything, they know—and you know—that it’s better. Why? Because you have done something to change the context of how that “meal” was being put together. In the same way, investing in the eco-friendly construction of your home changes the context in which greener, more sustainable living is taking place.
