Four Ways to Make Your New Home Green
Building a new home is exciting and filled with plenty of exciting decisions for you to make. This is the best time to incorporate environmentally friendly options. You can feel good about what you are building and save money far into the future besides. Consider these ideas for making your new home green.
Energy-Saving Appliances
You cannot do much about the carbon footprint involved with manufacturing appliances, but you can choose ones that are energy saving. Look for the Energy Star Qualified emblem. This step can make for continued savings for years to come. In addition to energy-saving kitchen and laundry appliances, consider using tankless water heaters, which are far more efficient, and try drying your clothes on a line when you can.
Energy savings aren’t just about appliances that use electricity. Have low-flow plumbing fixtures installed and save thousands of gallons of water each year. You can also choose lighting that uses LED and compact fluorescent lamps rather than incandescent bulbs. These use less electricity and do not add heat to your home that can raise your cooling costs.
Heating & Cooling
Having the most efficient HVAC system installed is a major consideration. Look for a high SEER rating. The addition of a programmable thermostat can help, too. To keep heating and cooling costs low, consider solar-reflective roof sheathing, R-44 attic insulation, frame and attic sealing, an insulated foundation, and argon-filled windows.
Earth-Friendly Materials
As you select materials for finishing your home, consider investing in sustainable materials. For example, bamboo flooring is a great option, because bamboo grows fast. There are also a number of options for using recycled materials, such as recycled glass countertops.
Landscaping
Make your home greener on the outside, too. Plan the landscaping based on watering needs, maintenance costs, and to provide shade and insulation for your home. One tip is to stick with native trees and plants, as they generally require less maintenance. By reducing the need for pesticides and fertilizers, you can protect the environment.
Manchester Green Homes is dedicated to environmental friendliness, and we’ve won awards doing it! We would love to share ideas to make your dream home everything you want it to be.