The Green Home trend is becoming more mainstream than ever before. According to the National Association of Home Builders, nearly one-third of all-new custom homes are now designed with at least one eco-friendly factor. Custom builders are quickly adapting to the demand and the industry is expanding to include Net Zero dedicated contractors.
The social and economic push to live a more sustainable lifestyle applies to everyone from Fort Worth, TX to Pittsburg, PA including families that are building new homes. With materials and designs in higher demand, the costs of adding eco-friendly features to your home are becoming more affordable. Shrinking your carbon footprint is a responsibility to our planet more now than ever before.
Whether you are looking to build a completely Net Zero home or are interested in adding eco-friendly features to your existing home, both are entirely possible. When you take advantage of renewable energy plans like those offered by electric companies in fort worth Texas and across the country, you can help to create a more sustainable lifestyle for you and your family. Let’s take a look at some of the most sought after eco-friendly features for your home.
Solar Power
Harnessing the powerful and free resources of the sun to create electricity is one of the most common eco updates for new homes. When you are building a home you have the opportunity to plan from the ground up. This means that you have a chance to take advantage of sun direction and house placement for the benefit of your solar panels.
In many cases, once your solar power is set up and you have maximized your collection you can see huge savings in your energy bills. You may even be able to collect enough energy to sell back to the local grid and make a tidy profit.
Energy Star Appliances
Energy-efficient appliances are becoming commonplace in American homes. Rated as the highest in quality and efficiency, Energy Star Appliances can help you save money and give the environment a break. By harnessing the technological advances available today, manufacturing with sustainable practices and reducing energy usage per cycle, these modern appliances are a must-have feature in your custom home.
Geo-Thermal Power
If you are designing your home from the ground up, you have the chance to add a geothermal aspect to your home. A geothermal system for your home works by using the natural heat from underground and venting it into your home.
In the summer, the same system works to remove built-up heat and use the cooled underground air to stay comfortable. This system takes a bit more of an upfront investment, however, once you are set up you can keep your home at a steady temperature all year long at no cost.
Sustainable Materials & Practices
Homebuilders are quickly adopting many eco-friendly building practices to accommodate clients that are looking to build an eco-friendly home. By using recycled materials and limiting the damage and disruption of the immediate environment, you can add an impressive amount of eco value to your home.
The sense of environmental responsibility is encompassing many things in our everyday life. Building a home is a huge job that has the potential to have a big impact on the world around you. When you add eco-friendly features and practices to your home build you can keep your carbon footprint small and help protect the planet.
