Building an Eco-Friendly Home
We live in an era where climate change is prevalent in the media and mainstream news. More and more, residents of the Pacific Northwest are becoming aware of their carbon footprint. As a result, it is becoming trendy to live in a home that is sustainable and eco-friendly.
Homes of the Future
Builders are beginning to experiment with new materials, building homes that are not only made of eco-friendly materials, but that are also carbon-neutral, green, and zero energy. These potential structures range from mudbrick domes to space-age Earthships.
These homes may be cool to look at, but it takes a lot for an average joe to move into a home as creative and abstract as this. If you are looking to make your home as environmentally friendly and green as possible, but you aren't ready to live in a “house of the future”, consider these tips.
Build With Sustainably Sourced Wood
Sustainably sourced wood is a renewable source that has minimal carbon emissions. While other building materials such as brick and concrete are mass-produced and are easier to find, their production also has a massive carbon footprint that is hazardous for our environment. Wood and timber are much better choices. They are versatile, provide excellent moisture insulation and have a low carbon footprint.
Install Renewable Energy Sources
There are many smart ways you can power your home. Here are just a few popular examples.
Modern Heat Pumps: Unlike other heating systems, heat pumps use energy in the air (or in the ground) to increase or decrease the temperature of your rooms.
Solar Panels: By heating water, solar panels are able to store the energy accumulated during the day. Their application is limited to domestic hot water and water for heating, but if you have a large family and you use lots of water or you have a large home, this is a great choice for you.
Wind Power: If your home is located in a place where there is enough wind pressure, then you can also install a mini-wind turbine. Although they may not be visually appealing, they will significantly diminish your electrical bill.
Use Recycled Materials
You can also build with ‘Green’ materials and components with a high degree of recycled content in them. Most of the things that we use in our day to day lives contain at least some plastic. So, instead of fighting a losing battle and avoiding plastic altogether, it’s better to recycle what has already been collected in the landfills.