Thinking of remodeling or even building a new home? You may want to consider opting for a green design. Eco-friendly home decor and design has become very trendy in recent years and is a force to be reckoned with. You shouldn’t only consider it to keep on top of the trends, of course – you’ll see savings in your energy bills as well as help to conserve and protect the environment. If this sounds interesting to you, keep reading – we’ll go over some tips on how to design your home to best make use of the environment in a responsible way as well as the most efficient materials.
First, there are some elements of design that make use of the surrounding environment. For one, the way the majority of your windows face can influence how the sun is heating your house. Having a west or south-facing house makes use of natural sunlight for heating; on the other hand, opting for another direction, like north, will expose your house less to sunlight and keep it cooler. Use this to your advantage to save on energy.
Another way to make use of the environment in a nonintrusive way is to opt for a HVAC system like geothermal heat pump or radiant floor heating. These make use of the natural releasing of heat from the ground to heat your home.
A third and fourth way to design an eco-friendly home is to opt for appropriate landscaping and use a cistern. When landscaping, do what wastes the least resources for your area. For example, in desert regions like the Southwest, it doesn’t make sense to try and maintain a green lawn. In dry areas, grass is one of the first things to go, on account of its shallow roots; thus, trying to maintain a whole lawn of it wastes a lot of water. Using indigenous plants will ensure they are adapted to the environment and an appropriate choice. Also, using a cistern can reduce whatever watering needs to be done outside of rainfall by collecting it for later use.
The other way to be eco-friendly is to use non-poisonous materials and promote energy efficiency throughout your home. Think organic pesticides and herbicides when working on your lawn, as well as VOC-free varnishes and stains. Also, try to get cabinetry and fixtures that don’t have formaldehyde, heavy metals, or dyes.
As far as energy efficiency goes, make sure your home is properly insulated to retain heat and cold. Also, opt for LED lighting, which is bright and uses low amounts of electricity. It also helps to get low consumption appliances like refrigerators, dryers, washing machines, toilets, water heaters, washing machines, and showers.
For more ways to make your home eco-friendly, check out the infographic below! We hope this was helpful for you to jump on the green train. We’ll see you next time!
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