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Recently humans have been pushing towards more eco-friendly alternatives to our lifestyles. We have started to realize that we are damaging our Earth beyond repair, and if we don’t take the time to start cleaning things up now, we will be dooming future generations. As a result, many people are starting to switch over towards eco-friendly homes. If you plan on building them, there are a few things you need to know if you want to ensure you are getting the best bang for your buck while also ensuring that you are getting something that is environmentally friendly.
Modular Building
One of the most popular ways to build an eco-home nowadays is to do something called modular building. What is modular building? Modular building is when the company you have hired builds everything off-site and then brings it to your site and puts it together. Some information from Enviro mentions that modular building is environmentally safe and most often a lot cheaper than conventional building methods as well. It can seem a little weird at first, but having a home built this way can help save a lot of money while also looking out for the Earth.
Now, your biggest concern might be the permanence and quality of your home. Modular buildings are in no way temporary and are built to last intense weather and pressure. Just because they are assembled somewhere else and then brought to the site does not mean they have cut any corners. These homes still have to pass all the regular safety inspections and be able to withstand the weather in your area. If you are worried about the structural integrity of your home, don’t be. Going with a modular building is one of the best ways to create an eco-home while saving some money at the same time.
Aim for Small
When it comes to building your home, you might be tempted to go for something large, but in reality, if you want something that is friendly for the environment, you will want something small. Why is this? First off, a small home is going to be much easier to heat in the winter and much easier to cool down in the summer. The less energy you have to use for climate control, the better. Another question to ask yourself is, do you really need a big house?
While many people dream of a gigantic mansion, most people only use one or two rooms in their house in their daily lives. By cutting out a lot of the excess junk, you can get something you enjoy living in and use to its fullest. Cutting out unnecessary space will also help you save a ton of money during the construction phase.
Build Eco-Friendly Materials
When looking at materials to build your home out of, you should be looking at ones that are sustainable and won’t be affecting the environment in a massive way. You can use sustainability-certified wood or even salvaged wood to help with your home. If you want to take things a step further, you can use recycled goods for your insulation.
The other benefit of switching to sustainable materials is that you can keep a lot of the harmful chemicals away from your home. There are plenty of carpets and paints that release harmful toxins into the air. By taking the time to carefully select what you are building with, you can work to get a home that is completely safe and friendly to the environment.
Water Efficiency
When building your home, you want to ensure you are doing everything to help conserve water. Not only will this mean installing taps and faucets that will help reduce water waste, but it will also mean changing your habits when it comes to water. Look around stores for appliances and bathroom fixtures that either has low water volume usage. Not only will you be doing your part for the environment, but you will also be cutting your utility bill down as well.
Solar Panels and Other Renewable Energy Sources
While it might be unrealistic to rely completely on renewable energy for your home, you can help play a part by finding a way to reduce your carbon footprint. Solar panels might be extremely expensive, but they do pay for themselves after a few years of use with the amount of money you are going to be saving. We recommend hiring an expert to help with installation as they can find the perfect spot to maximize the energy output of these panels.
Another thing you can look towards is harnessing wind or hydropower. If you have a small river or stream in your backyard, there are devices you can install that can help siphon some of it as power. This won’t make a huge difference, but it will be something. The same goes for small turbines in your backyard. Technology has advanced, and plenty of these actually look quite nice in the right setting. Switching over towards renewable energy is something you should consider doing when building an eco-home.
Budgeting
Finally, you are going to have to take the budget into account when building your eco home. While you might be tempted to buy all of the best things for the environment, the reality of the situation is that you might not be able to afford it all. Make a list of things you need and determine if it is more realistic to go with the eco mode or the regular model. This will mean making some sacrifices here and there, but overall you will still be doing your part for the environment.
This is a way in which you can go about building your own eco home. After it has all been said and done, you can be proud of what you have accomplished and be proud that you are doing your part for the Earth. Even after your home has been built, always look for ways to improve in terms of energy and waste. If enough of us work to fix the Earth, we will be able to make a difference.