Tips for Building an Environmentally Friendly Home

There are many advantages to designing an environmentally friendly home. These include financial benefits owing to reduced energy used to heat, cool and run the building. This is because environmentally friendly sources of energy (e.g., solar energy) are utilised. In addition to this, environmentally friendly homes are better insulated, with tightly sealed duct work. You will also be releasing less greenhouse emissions into the environment, which contribute to global warming and climate change. Additionally, when a home is constructed using environmentally friendly materials, the materials in the home are much less toxic for the inhabitants. There is also minimum waste material going to landfills during the construction of environmentally friendly homes.

Here are tips for choosing an environmentally friendly home design:

Reduce the size: This doesn't mean that you have to build a small home, but you should consider minimising the size of the building. The larger the house, the more it will cost to heat, cool and run the home. This means that you need to be more thoughtful about the space you need and space that will be left unused.

Utilise natural lighting methods: These help bring natural light into your home and include skylights and highlight windows. These also add dimension to areas of your home and are increasingly becoming popular. Ventilated skylights are especially useful for environmentally friendly homes, as they serve a dual purpose. They can be opened to allow air circulation to help cool the home down. 

Use energy efficient lighting options: These include LED lights and lights with dimmer controls to allow their light to be controlled, thereby saving energy.

Install rainwater tanks: Utilising rain water is an excellent way to conserve water and reduce your water usage. Choose a design that required less maintenance that will last you a long time without needing replacement. If you intend to use this water for drinking, than make sure that you have a filtration system in operation. 

Incorporate clever design strategies: Hire a designer who specialises in designing environmentally friendly spaces. They will think outside the box to create each space in the home. For instance, they might design homes with north-facing windows to take advantage of natural lighting.

Environmentally friendly homes are on the ris,e with the major advantage being lower utility costs. However, every aspect from lighting and energy to ventilation should be carefully thought out. Enlist the help of professionals to ensure that your home operates in an environmentally friendly manner. 

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