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The home, called Flat House on Margent farm, is constructed from timber, which is filled with a mulch of hemp. If you’re lucky enough to be able to start from scratch, you can immediately make proper use of the sun by orienting your house to make the most of both light and heat. Using the sun for free light and heat means you will also have to think about shade as https://ecosoberhouse.com/ part of the design. Standard electric coils—those spiral types we’re all used to seeing—by the way, are at the bottom of the barrel when it comes to energy efficiency. If you go for an electric stove, no matter which you choose, opt for the most efficiency-efficient model possible, then purchase green power to support electricity from clean, renewable sources.
The Energy Star label was created to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants caused by inefficient use of energy and is backed by the U.S. An Energy Star certified dishwasher can save almost 5,000 gallons of water annually. Other Energy Star certified appliances that use from 10% to 50% less energy include washers, dryers, refrigerators, boilers, furnaces, office equipment and electronics. Solar panels on your roof will source clean, pure energy directly from the sun, thereby reducing the use of fossil fuels. Ideally, you’ll need a sunny, south-facing roof that’s in good shape to support the panels.
Sustainable travel
For instance, Habitat for Humanity Restore locations sell donated items like appliances, housewares and building materials. There are also websites to assist in locating reclaimed and recycled wood stores in your area to minimize transportation emissions and help you find the right material for your new home. So, if homeowners wish to build a eco-friendlier home, they’ll have to turn to other materials like bamboo, hemp fibers and wood from mature trees. These materials are completely natural and make for a very solid, environmentally friendly home. Consider slow decorating, a design trend that promotes mindful selection and quality products rather than buying quickly available, low-quality products that fit an immediate need.
And be sure to recycle your old mattress so it doesn’t end up in a landfill. If you are looking to sell your home, investing in efficiency can pay off. For more information about selling your home, including how to make your home more energy- and water-efficient, How to make your home more environmentally friendly visit My Home by Freddie Mac®. Click here to read about 30 ways to make your life more environmentally friendly. We need to reduce the amount of trash we create, and to reuse or repurpose consumer goods rather than throwing them away.
Invest in Energy-Efficient Appliances
A few simple adaptations to your cooking methods can be a major step to a greener kitchen overall. However, remember that gas stoves are generally unhealthier than electric stoves, as they can add between 25 and 39 percent more NO2 and CO to the air in the house. What’s more, you reduce the need and requirements of long-distance transportation when you buy local. Plus, local products are often unique and bring personality to an interior. As an architect, I study home design and sustainability, but these are extensive topics. These are just a few options for a sustainable home; not all will work for everyone.
- Being environmentally conscious is not all about plastic bags; it’s about making everyday choices that will — quite literally — determine our success or failure as a species.
- There are also websites to assist in locating reclaimed and recycled wood stores in your area to minimize transportation emissions and help you find the right material for your new home.
- Besides, eco-friendly interior designers are also there to assist in every step.
- Offering longer life, greater energy efficiency and fewer toxic metals, these new bulbs are worth the switch.
- You can sell bricks, wood and metal, even old appliances that have a scrap value.
- Reclaimed furnishings for an eclectic music room by Decorilla designer, Casey H.
- How we power and heat our homes is usually one of the biggest contributors to the household’s carbon footprint.
A thermostat can reduce the cost of your utility bill and make your home more eco-friendly at the same time. Investing in the right energy-efficient light bulbs makes a huge difference. You will not only use less electricity but you will also make your home more environmentally-friendly. No matter how tempting incandescent bulbs are, LED bulbs are the better alternative. They last longer, are eco-friendly, and they help you save money in the long run. Jhánneu Roberts, a sustainability expert for Opendoor’s 2023 Eco-Forward Cities, says clotheslines save energy and make your clothes last longer.
Use all-natural cleaning products
Plus, a right-sized (versus oversized) home saves on building materials and energy upfront. Layouts should also be designed to last, with universal design principles in mind, to avoid major renovations down the line. Eco-friendly homes provide a number of economic and health benefits to homeowners, as well as reducing one’s environmental impact. These benefits become apparent when one considers what criteria constitute an eco-friendly house. According to Elemental Green, an eco-friendly home should meet a few specific guidelines.
Sure, it can be exciting to purchase brand new chairs and a desk for your space. But consider visiting your local flea markets and secondhand stores, which sell great, used office furniture at a fraction of the price. It helps keep barely-used items out of the landfills, which is good for the environment. Check out sites such as Freecycle for furniture that is no longer needed by others locally. Working from home is already environmentally friendly, but there are even more ways to work sustainably. Finally, you will want to get quotes from a few local solar companies.
Here’s a checklist to get you started as you tackle new projects around the house this season and beyond. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to 3 fiduciary financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.