BY: HANNAH THOMAS
You’ve searched and searched but you just can’t find it; you want it to have a structure that will withstand the burden of time, but won’t be costly. Well, if you can’t find it, then build it.
You know what they say: “If you want something done right, DIY.” Building your own eco-friendly dream house, despite what most people believe, are quite cheap to construct if you use materials such as straw, earth, wood and stone as opposed to steel and concrete, which are more expensive. And with the right planning your house can look fabulous too. Plus, just think about how much money you’ll be saving.
There are many types of eco-friendly houses and many ways to build them, depending on whether you’re going for a more futuristic look or something slightly more traditional. It is up to you, but of course things such as location, home trends and money have a say in it. Take a look at some of ways you can make your house more eco-friendly.
Locality
This is where you start and it is of vital importance to pick a great location. It is advisable not to construct a house facing westward because that way you’ll diminish sun exposure and ensure your house stays pleasantly cool. Also, avoid environmentally insecure places, so those that are prone to floods, earthquakes and other natural disasters. Another thing to bear in mind is the connection to the rest of the city – things like public transport, the nearest hospital, grocery shops and so on.
A Combo of Traditional and Green Material
It is rarely possible to build a completely eco-friendly house, or even to renovate an old structure and make it greener. It is far better and easier to mix traditional and green materials. For example, building a new straw house with a concrete foundation is a great solution as the risk of its sinking and egress of moisture is significantly lowered. On the same note, thermally efficient blocks as extensions are a way to make your house greener too.
Solar Panels
You cannot go greener than this. Solar energy is renewable and pure. Even though solar panels are not the most affordable at first, in the long run it is a smart investment that will save you a lot of money. What needs to be considered here is the location of your home and the manner in which the panels are constructed to get as much energy from the sun as you possibly can.
Experts
When it comes to things like water lines, sanitary sewer connection, surface water control and parking, turn to professionals. These are the things that you want to make sure are done correctly and safely. It is best to hire experts in civil design services who will make sure that everything is environmentally-friendly, but energy efficient at the same time.
Windows
Yep, believe it or not there is such a thing as energy efficient windows. You need to look for ENERGY STAR WINDOWS as these babies are way better than their regular counterparts. Just pay attention to their rating. The ones with the lowest ratings are the most cost-efficient.
Lighting
This is also something that saves a lot of energy, so it should definitely be part of your green home. Using Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) and Led-emitting Diodes (LED) is always a better choice than regular lightbulbs, as they use far less power and last longer in comparison.
Equipment
Now that you’ve built your house, it’s time to set it up. Again, look for appliances with ENERGY STAR label on them. These products have been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and they’re energy-efficient. And despite low energy consumption, their performance is not undermined in any way.
Low Flow Fixtures
Things such as water conserving toilets, shower heads and faucets of low flow use far less water per minute than traditional models. This is something that every home should have, as it lowers the water bill and helps the environment, especially since there’s a global water shortage.
These are just a few of the basic tips on how to build your own cozy little green haven. If you implement even some of the things that have been outlined here, you’ll save yourself a lot of money and help our planet Earth, which will leave a better tomorrow for future generations.
