In the US, only 5,000 single-family homes classify as “net-zero energy” properties. The same goes for 7,000+ multi-family dwellings. These net-zero energy homes offset their energy use by producing their own power. Many of them utilize solar energy, for instance, which they then use for their needs. They don’t rely on, say, electricity companies to operate their homes.
In short, they are the greenest, most eco-conscious residential properties in the US.
So, why not take a page out of their books and construct your own eco friendly building? The more green features your new home will have, the more savings you’ll enjoy in the long term. You’ll have less impact on the environment, and you also get to enjoy the health benefits of a green home.
Ready to learn how to build an eco friendly house? Then let’s get right into it!
- Go for LED Lighting
LED lights convert at least 90% of the energy they use into actual light. The remaining 10% becomes heat. As such, they use very little electricity to provide adequate lighting to buildings.
Incandescent lights, on the other hand, do the exact opposite. Meaning, only 10% of the energy that goes into powering them becomes a source of illumination! The remaining 90% turns into heat energy.
Moreover, the rated lifespan of LED lights can be up to 25 to 50 times longer than Edison bulbs. They’re also brighter than incandescent lighting. You can even get them in different colors, from blue to green to red to blue!
Many of today’s LED bulbs are also adjustable and programmable. For starters, that means you can increase or decrease their light output. When synced to a control panel, you can adjust them using a remote control or even with your phone.
All these features make LED lights the best choice for building eco friendly houses.
- Harness the Power of the Sun
Solar power now costs less than many other fossil fuel energy sources. Even without tax incentives or subsidies, you can save more when you harness the power of the sun.
One of the top reasons to invest in photovoltaic (PV) panels, however, is to tap the sun’s free and limitless energy. It’s because of this that solar power is one of the most sustainable sources of energy. So long as the sun shines, you can convert its light into solar power.
Solar power is also one of the cleanest energy sources, as it doesn’t produce pollutants. Besides, it doesn’t generate greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. It also helps reduce the carbon footprint of fossil-fuel-powered devices, like air conditioners.
All these should be enough reason for you to invest in PV panels when building an eco friendly home.
- Consider Multi-Pane Windows
Multi-pane windows offer better insulation because of their multi-glass-layered construction. Less heat or cold from the outside can enter them. At the same time, they’re more efficient in keeping conditioned air inside a building.
Since multi-pane windows reduce heat gains and losses, they’re more energy-efficient. They can help reduce the energy consumption of heating and air conditioning systems. By decreasing your electricity use, you’re relying less on fossil fuels.
All in all, Energy Star-rated windows can help trim electricity bills by an average of 12%. That makes them an exceptional choice when building environmentally-friendly homes.
- Lay the Window Film
Window films, also known as window tint, can reduce cooling costs by up to 30%. They work by blocking the sun’s heat while helping trap conditioned air within a building. Some of these products also reflect heated air inside an enclosed space.
Since window films help cut cooling costs, they contribute to reduced energy use. The less electricity you draw from the grid, the fewer fossil fuels that require burning.
Besides, such window treatments also help minimize UV exposure by blocking up UV radiation. This translates to better protection against the cancer-causing rays of the sun.
- Don’t Forget to Insulate
Insulation, like window films, also helps retain conditioned air inside a structure. These materials also resist conductive heat, which is heat transferred via physical contact. The most common source of conductive heat is the sun.
In the winter, insulation helps keep the extreme cold from getting into a building. To some extent, these products can also hold out against convective heat. They can also help reduce noise pollution.
Aside from semi-permanent materials, you should also consider saving energy with reusable insulation. These are materials that you can place on systems that only require occasional use. These include heat exchangers, pumps, tanks, and instruments, among many others.
- Repurpose When Possible
Repurposing a material means using it for something other than its original function. It’s different from recycling because it doesn’t involve changing the material’s chemical structure. It’s more like reusing, although you reuse it for something else.
For instance, you can repurpose an old bathtub into a vintage-like sofa. You can even convert an old ladder into a space-saving bookshelf. The sky’s the limit when it comes to awesome repurposing projects.
The most important thing is that repurposing minimizes the need to tap and use raw materials. Although you’ll still likely need new materials, you’ll end up using less of them. Any reduction in the demand for resources takes you a step closer to eco friendliness.
- Build and Decorate With Sustainability in Mind
EPA defines sustainability as a relationship of “productive harmony” between humans and nature. The end goal is to avoid the exhaustion of natural resources. This way, humans can keep an ecological balance while still improving the quality of life.
Aside from renewable energy, like solar power, there are also sustainable building materials. Bamboo, for instance, takes only three to five years to reach maturity. Many other trees used in construction take between 10 and 30 years to mature.
Hemp is another sustainable material to use for your eco friendly home’s interior design. It’s a regenerative and organic alternative to cotton, corn, and soy materials.
Go Green With These Eco Friendly Building and Decorating Tips
There you have it, the top tips on how to construct and decorate an eco friendly building. Now that you know, you can get started on mapping out the blueprints of your green home! The more of these tactics you use, the higher your savings, and the lower your carbon footprint will be.
Ready for more building and furnishing ideas to make your green dream home a reality? Feel free to check out the rest of the Daily Dream Decor site then!
