Whether you want to build an eco friendly house from scratch or you are looking for ideas to renovate your existing home, there are plenty of ways to go green. For example, you can use straw bale construction, repurpose materials in your home, install solar panels, and more.
Wood
If you are looking for eco friendly house ideas, wood may be a good option. This building material has several benefits, including a low carbon footprint, higher performance than concrete, and easy recycling. Wood has also been proven to reduce water pollution.
Its light weight makes it an easy material to transport. It also helps to reduce air pollution. In fact, a single m3 of wood contains more than 750 kilograms of CO2. Compared to concrete, wood’s carbon footprint is smaller, reducing the need for a more efficient energy system.
Another benefit is its durability. It can stand up to a variety of forces, including fire and termites. Moreover, it can be treated with impregnation, coating, or drying to make it resistant to damage.
Straw bale construction
Straw bale construction for eco friendly house ideas is a sustainable method of building that can save you a lot of energy over conventional buildings. But it is not without its challenges.
In order to be successful, you need to consider a number of factors. First, you must build your house within a reasonable budget. This means that you must be able to secure financing for the project. Next, you need to be able to get professional building plans. Finally, you need to ensure that your project is within your timeline.
The main benefit of straw bale construction for eco friendly house ideas is that you will enjoy a healthy indoor climate. You will also be able to create a beautiful design for your home.
Extra insulation
Adding extra insulation to your home can make a significant difference on your energy bills. It can also help to keep your comfortable temperatures inside and prevent cold air from leaking out. The best thing about using eco-friendly materials is that they are recyclable and will not end up in your landfill.
One of the first things you can do to insulate your home is to seal gaps in your floorboards and walls. This can help to ensure that your house remains warm during the winter and cool during the summer.
For some people, the best way to insulate a home is to hire a professional. However, for the DIY enthusiast, there are some simple and affordable ways to boost your home’s energy efficiency.
Repurposed items in your home
If you’re looking to do some eco friendly house improvements, you should consider reusing items you already have. Reusing and recycling items will help lower your carbon footprint while increasing the value of your home.
One of the best ways to achieve this is to do a thorough inventory of your house and dispose of the junk. For example, you can donate your unused or broken items to charity while keeping the good stuff for yourself. You could also turn your old furniture into something new with some creativity.
Another way to reduce your carbon footprint is to use biodegradable cleaning products. These can be found at your local hardware store.
Smart meter technology
Smart meter technology for eco friendly house ideas is becoming widespread. In the United Kingdom, for instance, smart metering is planned for most residential properties. It is also planned for most small businesses.
These new technologies have the potential to disrupt our current patterns of consumption. They can lead to decentralized demand-response programs. However, the benefits of these changes have not yet been proven in practice.
The challenge is to understand how people actually use this information. Moreover, to evaluate the long-term sustainability of the savings they achieve.
A growing body of literature questions the optimism of these kinds of feedback. For example, the Hawthorne effect and self-selection bias are alleged to undermine the benefits of smart meter feedback.
Making sure your home is code-approved
If you’re building your own house, or if you’re just renovating your current abode, making sure your home is code-approved is a no brainer. The best way to find out is to go to your local building department and let them do the hard work for you.
They’ll happily answer any plumbing or construction questions you may have. Plus, it’s a great excuse to peruse their library of educational material. After all, they’ve probably been there since the dawn of time.
The best part is that your local building department is a bunch of friendly neighbors. For example, you’ll be able to ask about building permits for the addition of a shed or a fence without having to pay the price.
