Sustainable living has become prominent worldwide as people do their parts to save the planet. How can you live in an eco-conscious home and help the environment? You may be surprised at the plentiful options.
Here’s a guide with eco-friendly house examples and their sustainable features.
1. Passive House
One of the best examples of sustainable living is a passive house. This home originated from Germany in the late 20th century and has become a model for ecologically sound homes.
Passive houses stand out because they require minimal energy for cooling and heating. Excellent insulation and ventilation mean your HVAC doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain comfort.
Passive design is a reliable strategy for long-term living in an eco-friendly house. These structures don’t need much maintenance while heating your space in the winter.
These buildings feature energy-efficient and south-facing windows to maximize solar gain in the winter. They stay cool in the summer due to tree shade and windows with high U-values.
2. Tiny Homes
You may be interested in a tiny home if you don’t need much living space. This small house is one of the best eco-friendly examples because it’s easy to mass produce.
A tiny home is only a few hundred square feet. With a small space, you don’t need to consume much water or electricity.
These houses suit single people or married couples who want to downsize. You still get a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and other amenities.
These features require less power and can be used with solar panels. Some tiny homes enhance sustainability by using recycled materials in construction.
3. Modular Homes
Most homes require on-site construction and costly labor for their assembly. Could you reduce the construction time and make them more environmentally friendly?
Modular homes implement this idea by building most of the structure in a factory. The manufacturer uses 3D printers and other advanced technologies for this eco-friendly house.
The concept embodies sustainability by reducing emissions and waste in construction. The process requires fewer delivery vehicles, and the machines produce precise measurements.
Building in a climate-controlled facility improves construction because it removes weather issues. Additionally, you get top-of-the-line insulation and energy efficiency through airtight construction.
4. Shipping Containers
If you have an eco-friendly house, how you live matters less. Shipping containers demonstrate how unconventional homes can still be practical.
As the name suggests, shipping container homes let people live in rectangular crates. While customizable, these structures require modifications for heating and electricity.
Shipping containers boast sustainability because they’re small and mobile. You can easily pick it up and move it to another location.
These are among the best examples of eco-friendly house construction. You don’t consume new resources for your house by repurposing one of these crates.
5. Earthships
Another unique environmentally conscious home is the Earthship. These are similar to passive homes, although their requirements aren’t as strict.
You may see an Earthship made from old tires, recycled bottles, and adobe. Combining these recycled materials increases the thermal mass and makes comfort easier.
Earthships are popular for those who want an autonomous home. These environmentally conscious spaces don’t rely on conventional municipal resources.
Instead, you typically see Earthships with solar panels or wind turbines. Homeowners source water from rainwater harvesting systems or nearby bodies.
6. Underground Homes
When you picture construction, you think of scaffolds and laborers working above ground. However, some eco-friendly house owners didn’t follow the typical examples.
Underground homes are among the most natural and unique housing choices. These structures hide beneath the earth and provide various sustainable advantages.
For instance, they leverage the ground for natural insulation. The soil provides a consistently comfortable climate and little need for outside intervention.
Underground houses also boast protection from weather events outside. Building one of these homes protects you from extreme heat, hurricanes, and other unsafe conditions.
7. Rammed Earth Homes
Rammed earth homes date back thousands of years and have made a comeback. They use compact natural materials like lime and gravel.
Natural materials offer similar benefits to underground homes. Rammed earth has excellent thermal mass and a reduced risk of fires.
Thick walls also provide insulation from outside noises. You won’t have to worry about loud cars, thunderstorms, or animals anymore.
When appropriately built, rammed earth homes are durable. These unconventional buildings resist rain, extreme cold and insects and provide a comfortable environment.
What Features Should You Look for in an Eco-Friendly House?
If you build an eco-friendly house, you might not show Earthships to the builder as one of your favorite examples. That said, there are plenty of must-haves for your sustainable living space. Here are seven features to prioritize for your home.
1. Sustainably Sourced Materials
An eco-friendly home starts with the materials you pick for construction. Some options are less sustainable due to their resource requirements.
For instance, concrete production requires cement and greenhouse gas emissions. Experts say cement makes the concrete industry responsible for 8% of all emissions worldwide.
Instead, pick sustainably sourced materials. Engineered hardwood is a solid start because it requires less wood from trees.
Sometimes, you need to think out of the box for your eco-friendly house. Bamboo, cork, straw bale, and hempcrete are stellar environmentally friendly alternatives.
2. Solar Panels
Imagine your family has turned to homesteading as a new lifestyle. You bought a few acres of land in Tennessee, and now it’s time to work.
This way of living provides physical activity and promotes sustainability. That said, your homestead needs help when producing power.
One of the most practical solutions is solar power. Photovoltaic panels harness the sun’s rays and generate electricity for your eco-friendly house.
While this approach is practical, you must be strategic about your panels. Tilt them and ensure they face southward for maximum solar gain throughout the day.
3. Green Roofs
If you want a green home, it helps if your roof reflects the color. Green roofs have become an incredible option for at-home sustainability and maximized comfort.
This concept involves letting vegetation grow on your rooftop to absorb the sunlight and rain. It could be an excellent cooling solution for homes in a hot climate.
The EPA says green roofs reduce the heat island effect and make spaces cooler. When temperatures are lower, these houses rely less on energy-intensive cooling systems.
Green roofs are superb examples of eco-friendly house features if you grow a garden. Some people grow food here and make their families more self-sufficient.
4. Insulated Garage Door
Improving insulation isn’t only for your bedrooms and communal spaces. You should look elsewhere to make your home more comfortable in every area.
For example, consider your garage and the uncomfortable temperatures in the summer and winter. How can you reduce the use of the HVAC in this part of your house?
One of the best solutions is an insulated garage door. This addition provides an R-value of up to 20.4, making the garage much more comfortable.
An insulated garage door also reduces noise when entering and leaving the area. Outside cars are less likely to disturb you while working or hosting a party.
5. New Appliances
Check the efficiency of the appliances, as they require a lot of electricity. Their age could determine how much power they consume daily.
Newer appliances have more efficient motors and better insulation to prevent waste. While they require an up-front investment, the purchase pays off in the long run.
When searching for new appliances, look for the Energy Star label for efficiency. For example, an Energy Star-certified smart thermostat saves about $100 annually.
6. Smart Devices
A smart thermostat is one of many devices that can make your house more eco-friendly. Modern gadgets let you automate most of your home and consume less energy. Smart technology is beneficial because it does the hard work for you. Plus, it covers your mistakes if you forget to do something.
For example, suppose you’re leaving for a vacation and forget to change the thermostat. Smart devices let you connect to them with your smartphone and adjust on the road.
Smart home technology also lets you set timers to reduce your house’s wasted power. You can pick a time for all your light fixtures to turn on and off.
7. Low-Flow Water Fixtures
If you want more efficient water systems, swap current mechanisms with low-flow water fixtures. These toilets and faucets use less water each time, preserving this essential resource.
Using low-flow water fixtures is critical if you live in drought-prone areas. These systems help keep your usage below the local limits.
They’re also a solid way to save money on your water bills. Low-flow water means less anxiety about overconsumption and waste.
Conclusions
Sustainable living starts with your home and resource consumption. Building an eco-friendly house demonstrates care for the environment.
Fortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for constructing these homes. People have displayed creativity for generations when finding environmentally conscious solutions.
Passive houses and modular homes are among today’s most common options. However, rammed earth and underground structures could best fit you.
Regardless, you need eco-friendly features inside for a holistic approach. Modern appliances and smart technologies are excellent starting points for a sustainable home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make my house eco-friendly?
A: Simple changes to your house can make it eco-friendly. Start by installing efficient windows, prioritizing triple-pane. These allow natural light to enter your home without causing too much solar gain. Plus, you get excellent noise insulation for quieter living.
Are sustainable homes expensive?
Your eco-friendly house could have high initial costs due to advanced technologies. Consider smart devices like thermostats, lights and security systems. While investments are necessary, they save money in the long run through efficiency.
How do I build a cheap, eco-friendly home?
Inexpensive construction starts with the size of your home. Smaller houses require less energy to heat and cool throughout the year. Build only the space you need to reduce your environmental impact. A cheaper build also benefits from recycled materials, which can be more affordable than new resources.
