5 Things to Consider When Building Green

Guest post by Chloe Taylor

When it comes to new construction development, green building practices have been gaining a lot of traction in recent years. The environmental problems and challenges our planet is facing nowadays have prompted the need for the integration of sustainable elements into everything from interior design to architecture to construction processes. This has led to the development of numerous green technologies which only continue to evolve as time goes on.

Nowadays, there are so many options for building a sustainable and green modern home that is efficient, comfortable, and planet-friendly. If you’re planning on building one yourself, make it a priority to do your research and consider all the different factors when it comes to building green. To help you get started, we are listing five essential things you will need to keep in mind when building your green home.

Think about the future (i.e. 20-30 years from now)

There are numerous occasions when thinking in advance can pay off, and building a home is certainly one of those instances. You want to consider your wants and needs in the long run and build a home you can actually use even twenty or thirty years from now. No two individuals will want the same things from their future home, and a recent college graduate is going to have very different needs from an empty nester who is getting ready to retire. This is why keeping in mind your future needs while factoring in the ones you have today is essential for building a home that’s going to suit your lifestyle in the long run.

You never know what tomorrow is going to bring, and because of that, you want to build a home that can accommodate your future needs and any lifestyle changes that take place down the road while also being self-sufficient and having a reduced impact on the environment.

Give some thought to the location

The place where you decide to build your new home is another key factor to consider when designing an eco-friendly home. You definitely don’t want to build a home in a place where you are going to disturb the natural ecosystem. Similarly, you don’t want to build in a position where there’s not enough sunlight for collecting and powering your home via solar panels (should you consider installing them, that is).

Moreover, you should also look for a plot that’s in close proximity to your work, shops, and grocery stores so you don’t have to use your car as much. Some other things to consider are the orientation of the building (optimizing heating/cooling needs), maximizing the amount of natural light coming in (cutting down on electricity costs), and landscaping (blending in with natural surroundings by using indigenous plants and greenery).

Choose the right green building certification for your project

The impact of buildings on the environment is long-lasting, and this alone makes it all the more important to do it right from the start and build green. Whether we are talking about commercial interior projects or real estate developments, the best way to ensure that your building operations align with green regulations in both interiors and architecture is to look for a green building certification program that is the most appropriate for your project. An experienced green building consultant could be of great help in the process as they are familiar with all of the up-to-date green building standards and guidelines.

By choosing the right green building system, you will be able to design your green building in a way that is people-centric but also planet-oriented – a combination that’s a desirable route for many developers and designers nowadays.

Rely on environmentally-friendly products and materials

A huge part of building green is relying on eco-friendly products and materials to reduce the building’s environmental impact. What was once difficult is nowadays quite convenient and easy, and with so many eco-friendly stores and suppliers popping up, there’s no excuse not to design a space that’s earth-friendly. Natural materials and products such as bamboo, cork, and recycled lumber and glass can be used for just about anything, from insulation to flooring to furniture. Not only are they perfect for building green, but using them is also going to save you some money down the road which you can spend on additional eco-friendly features.

The size of the house also plays an important role when building green. The best way to go about is to examine your needs and only build what you really need. That way, your new home will feel just right instead of being wasteful by containing empty and unused space.

Focus on energy efficiency

Energy conservation is another major aspect of building and living green. A home that is built with energy-efficiency in mind costs less to operate and leaves a smaller environmental footprint, thus helping the homeowners live more in line with Mother Nature while also ensuring significant savings in the long run.

For those who want to focus on making their home as energy-efficient as possible, consider making use of renewable energy sources such as the Sun by harnessing solar power. Another great way to do it would be to conserve finite sources such as water by installing water-conserving fixtures such as low-flow shower heads and micro-irrigation systems (if you have a garden). You can also help cut down on electricity usage by opting for energy-efficient appliances when purchasing new ones for your home and installing programmable thermostats to keep the heating and cooling costs as low as possible.

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Wrapping up

Once considered an alternative to traditional home construction, green building has come a long way, so much so that it entered the mainstream in recent years. This is great news for both Mother Nature and ourselves, and a huge step in the right direction. With new green technologies being developed and better, more eco-friendly solutions popping up, greening your home and reaching your sustainability goals has never been easier.

Chloe Taylor is a graduated journalist from Adelaide who loves exploring everything related to decor, aesthetic and organizing. She is also very passionate about sustainability and enjoys writing about it. Her biggest dream is to travel the whole world and take some stunning photographs of beautiful places. Besides all this, she enjoys drinking coffee and reading a beautiful book from time to time.