Building Sustainably
Building a new home today includes thousands of decisions, many of which can be made more green with just a little research.
Get ready to learn about some great green building trends that can make your new home more friendly for the environment (and possibly even your bank account).
CHOOSING A SITE
We all know that real estate is all about location, location, location. As it turns out, so is sustainability. Pick a site, if you can, that already has utility hook-ups. This means you won’t have to disturb the surrounding environment by digging new lines. Also look for sites that are less affected by storms and flooding. Transportation should also be considered in that the farther you have to drive you car, the larger your carbon footprint becomes. If you can, pick a place where you can take public transportation or walk to most of your destinations.
Also look for a place where you can orient your home to take the most advantage of sun and shade to heat and cool your home.
CHOOSING MATERIALS
In the process of building, try, if you can, to pick local materials that don’t have to be brought in from afar. The shorter the shipping distance, the smaller your carbon footprint is. Choosing local materials and crafts- men also keeps money in your com- munity. Look for recycled materials in your selections. Reclaimed wood, for instance, is a gorgeous choice to incorporate in your home, as are reclaimed bricks and stones. Countertops can be made from recycled glass or stone and even roofing shingles can be made from recycled materials.
CHOOSING APPLIANCES
Look for appliances with the Energy Star label. These have been tested and proven to save on your energy bills. You can also integrate smart technologies and efficient lighting into you new home to save on your energy usage and on your bills.
BUILD SMALL Smaller houses are more efficient, hands down.
Work with your design team to build the smallest house that will work for your family. Building a smaller house will also mean your construction team will spend less energy and resources to build your home.