5 ways to Incorporate Sustainability Into Your Home 

 

A sustainable home is one that is built with careful thought and consideration for our environment. This can mean anything from building with eco-friendly materials to incorporating solar power into your home. Choosing to add elements of sustainability to your next home renovation or new home build will not only save you money on utilities, but it will also save the environment.

Thanks to advances in sustainable energy and eco friendly options, the way we build homes is changing. Whether it is a new build or an update to your existing home, the possibilities to incorporate sustainability are endless. Below we will go over 5 of the many options to consider.

Layout

As much as an open plan can be aesthetically pleasing, it is not necessarily the most efficient. Open plans with large square footage cost more to heat than a home with less square footage broken up between two floors.  

Insulation

Insulation plays a huge role in efficiently heating your home. It is important to consider the R Value of the insulation you will be using. R Value is the “Resistance Value” for the material; the higher the value, the better it will be at keeping the heat out in the summer and the cold out in the winter.

Eco-Friendly Materials

Sourcing Eco-Friendly materials is an important consideration for sustainability. Avoid using materials that have Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s). This can mean choosing a VOC free paint or using construction materials that are recycled or can be recycled later.

Solar Panels

Transitioning to renewable energy is a lot easier than it sounds. Solar panels can be incorporated into your existing home to offset your electricity bill or built into your new home build to eliminate the power bill all together.

Conclusion:

Whether you are looking to add sustainability to your home renovation or plan on building a sustainable home, partnering with an experienced full-service builder will ensure you get the biggest reward on your investment. A custom home builder like FLR Developments has the industry expertise required to incorporate sustainability into your next project.

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I renovate a portion of my home and make it more efficient?

Absolutely! Something like a kitchen renovation can yield great results by switching to energy efficient appliances, for example.

Do sustainable homes retain their value more than conventional builds?

Yes, a sustainable home, or one with sustainable elements, will typically yield a better resale value. Due to the long-term benefits of eco-friendly features, buyers will be saving in utility costs for years to come.

How can I improve insulation on my existing home?

There are number of ways you can modify the existing insulation in your home. Areas of the home can be updated with higher R-Value insulation, doors and windows can be sealed or updated to improve heat retention. contact form below, or by calling 403-980-2205.