If you are seriously considering building a sustainable home, you may be wondering where to start. You need a guide to help you figure out which building materials will work best and how best to approach the various aspects of sustainable living. Fortunately, you will find that there is a wealth of information available on this subject. Many websites are filled with free information on green building methods and the latest high-tech products on the market.
How Do You Make Your Home Greener?
One important tip when making a green home is to choose a building lot that has easy access to fresh air and plenty of sunlight. Choose a lot far enough away from the smog and traffic to allow for plenty of sunlight. This will ensure that you don’t have to spend a great deal of time inside your home during the hottest part of the day. If you live near a body of water, such as a lake or ocean, choose a site on a hilltop or somewhere that will allow you to enjoy the water without going through a constant traffic jam. This will cut down on the number of fossil fuels you will use to heat your new sustainable home.
Another great tip is to purchase environmentally friendly products that will make your home more sustainable. For example, instead of using glass that is made with lead solder, which leaches into the water and the air, choose glass that is made using recycled glass. Use woven canvas rather than plastic rollers because they won’t break down and leach into the soil. Don’t use paints that contain lead–these are easily absorbed into the skin and potentially cause cancer. Also, instead of using paint that has at least two to three times the toxicity of lead, you can use only non-toxic paint. If you are really careful, you can avoid buying any paint at all.
Another tip for a sustainable home build is to use energy-efficient lighting, energy-efficient appliances, and take advantage of the latest technology for heating, cooling, and lighting. Use energy-efficient air conditioners and heat pumps to keep your house cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps and use energy-efficient light bulbs. Buy heat-efficient windows, which will save you huge amounts of money on your heating and air conditioning bills. Make sure all your furniture and your kitchen is made of sustainable materials and will serve you very long.
Final Words
Building your own sustainable home doesn’t have to be overwhelming or complicated. There are plenty of do-it-yourself resources available to teach you how to build an eco-friendly home. Even if you are not experienced with carpentry or home improvements, you can learn a lot by watching tutorials online. You may also want to join a green home building group in your area so you can get advice and discuss building issues with others who share your vision for a sustainable home. Building a greener, more earth-friendly home is a small but important part of the fight against global warming.