Eco-friendliness is not a social trend that will fade into the background any time soon — in fact, it seems like the desire for environmentally conscious and energy conserving products will only continue to grow in demand. Builders should accept and try to adapt to this trend right away because buyers will be looking for houses with the following features.
The first elements that you should consider implementing in an eco-friendly house are energy-efficient windows and doors — these will help create an air-tight building envelope, stop air drafts and protect rooms from energy loss. When a house has low-quality windows and entrance doors, the owners will spend a lot more money and effort trying to heat their rooms in the winter and cool them during the summer. Choose a company that has been manufacturing, distributing and installing top-rated options on the market — Casa Bella Windows & Doors is an Energy Star Participant that has a wide range of items that are Health Smart Certified and incredibly efficient. They are manufactured with a variety of features that will raise the thermal resistance, protect against moisture damage and save energy, like:
- Warm Edge Spacer and Super Spacer technology
- Weather-tight seals
- Superior weather stripping
- Sturdy extruded vinyl frames
- Aluminum sill systems that eliminate frost transfer
Lighting systems can be seen as a small element of a new house, but they can make a significant impact on a carbon footprint. One way to prevent waste from lighting energy is to include plenty of windows so that natural light can fill the rooms during the daytime — this way the electric options are only needed after the sun sets or when the weather is cloudy. The other way to guarantee that the energy consumption is as low as possible is to equip the property with eco-friendly lighting systems. The country’s standard efficient light bulbs include halogen bulbs, compact fluorescent light bulbs, and light-emitting diodes — these will all require far less energy use than traditional incandescent bulbs. The front yard, back patio and the exterior of the house can be fitted with solar-powered lights to give homeowners options to use a renewable resource throughout the year.
One of the top green home building techniques that people in the industry should think about adding to their plans is water conserving fixtures — these are low-flow toilets, shower-heads, and faucets that limit unnecessary water waste. Most people are unaware of the amount of water that they literally pour down the drain until they see the results on their bills. You can also choose to install Energy Star approved items like washing machines and dishwashers in the house, which can fulfill their purposes with minimal water and energy waste.
Speaking of water, when building your home it’s very important to consider some of the new options that are available to ensure you have clean drinking water. Whole house water filters can help ensure that your home has the best quality water and can also help you save money from buying individual bottles or paying for small filters in your water pitcher in the fridge.
Incorporating these features into your construction plans will be ultimately rewarding because people want houses that make them feel environmentally responsible and that help them save money. Soon enough, you will see that all of your new properties are crowded with potential buyers who are desperate to make the sale and move in.