There are many benefits to building a green home, and there has been a big push towards eco-friendly materials with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) making climate action an important goal. Here at Artisan Builders, we prioritize sustainability to help you choose the appropriate eco-friendly choices that work best with your lifestyle. Keep reading to learn more.
Insulate Tight, Ventilate Right
One of the most important components to an eco-friendly home is a roof that can reduce energy consumption. Installing heat-reflective roofing, as well as materials such as clay or tile with a high thermal mass, can serve as natural insulators keeping the home cool during the hotter months. And if you have an attic, making sure that there is proper ventilation is important to allow hot air to escape and your air-conditioning.
Energy Efficiency
Installing solar panels is a great way to use natural resources to reduce your carbon footprint, save energy, and cut costs. Solar panels can help you qualify for tax benefits and can provide you energy in the event of a power outage. Installing eco-friendly light bulbs that require less energy or LED light sources can help you to save as well. Checking if your appliances are energy star certified, meaning they use less energy, can reduce your electric bill significantly. These certifications apply to all appliances such as washing machines, refrigerators, and dishwashers.
Smart Technology
Utilizing Smart Technology is the easiest way to reduce your carbon footprint. There are many products such as home lighting systems or smart faucets that can help you to reduce your electricity usage. Faucets can help to dispense the exact amount of water without a risk of running. And lighting systems that can be dimmed or turned off remotely.
Materials
If you are building a green home, the most important factor to consider is the materials that go into it which help to reduce carbon. Some examples of low carbon materials are recycled wood flooring or paints that have little Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Opting for materials such as concrete made from “granulated blast-furnace slag” can lower the carbon footprint. A great way to help see which materials are eco-friendly is looking for verified materials with EPDs which show the environmental impact of a product.
If you are considering building an eco-friendly home, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today. We have a team of qualified professionals with decades of experience ready to help you every step of the way.
