Everyone is going green these days and it’s no different when it comes to homebuilding. Homes take up a lot of the energy consumption being used and by micro-managing and making sure that one thinks green when thinking about the small details, this can have a huge impact on the environment, the bank account, and the health of everyone living on the planet.
One of the biggest advantages to building green are the health benefits involved. Often, indoor air quality can be much poorer than the air quality of the outdoors. This is because there are many furnishings, carpet and insulation that can release toxins and trap moisture. There are also a number of household products that can release harmful toxins into the environment. These include cleaners, aerosol sprays, and paint. Controlling these harmful toxins can be easily achieved by using green household products and green building materials. By also employing tight air-sealing methods in the home, this can reduce moisture and prevent or reduce the growth of mold and mildew. Mechanical ventilation can also be used, which combines allowing fresh outdoor air in while sending stale indoor air out.
The financial advantages of growing green are also huge. Due to the higher efficiency of heating and cooling systems, as well as the insulation packing a bigger punch, and the sealed air distribution systems green homes have in place, the amount of energy being used is greatly reduced. A green home will lose almost nothing to leaky ductwork but homes that are not energy efficient lose almost twenty percent. Not only does this mean less energy being used and more money in the homeowner’s pocket but it also means that the house will stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
In many areas of the country, homeowners are being awarded for having a green home or remodelling their home to include things such as solar panel roofs. These awards are usually in the form of a five percent discount on their utility bills. To qualify for these awards, homes must pass an inspection by an independent rater. If the home does qualify, they will receive an Energy Star certificate. Should the home ever be sold, the certificate will be transferred to the next owner. Sometimes, homeowners that are planning on building green will also be granted a larger mortgage as lenders take note of the fact that their monthly utility bills will be lower.
One of the easiest ways to ensure a home is green is to start from the very beginning by building a new home. It’s important to keep in mind that the bigger the house, the more energy and land it will consume. When deciding on the landscaping, it’s best to use plants that can be found in the area. When paving the driveway, a good option is to use a pervious material instead of blacktop as blacktop does not absorb any moisture.
Using recycled materials is another great way to achieve a green home. Recycled materials can be used for anything such as tiles that are made from glass previously used in the automotive industry or using recycled materials for the countertops, making these from recycled aluminium or paper. Carpet shouldn’t be used when building a green home as these can easily trap moisture. Using large area rugs or placing carpet squares together can both be very good alternatives to carpeting. Cork plank and bamboo floors make for beautiful floors that are very environmentally-friendly. However, also consider what it takes to transport the flooring materials from the manufacturer to the home. If bamboo needs to be shipped from China for example, the fuelling costs for transportation may not make it worthwhile.
There are many factors to consider when building green and the advantages need to be weighed against the disadvantages for every decision that is made regarding the home’s construction. This can be a little difficult as there is no set check list for building the perfect green home. It just takes some thought and consideration and carefully weighing all the options.
It’s also important to consider whether you are building from new or remodelling an existing home. If remodelling involves replacing appliances, be sure to replace them with Energy Star appliances. Also make sure that any product that is used has a very low VOC count or none at all. VOC’s are Volatile Organic Compounds and are gases that are released from products such as paints, aerosol cans, and cleaning supplies. The concentrations of these substances are much higher indoors than out and can be very detrimental to people’s health.
Also when remodelling, keep in mind the date that the house was built and search for lead and asbestos before any construction is started. Tearing down things that contain these harmful products releases many toxins into the air. Any gas appliances should also be checked to ensure that they are not leaking any gases and any HVAC systems that are more than fifteen years old should also be checked. A new HVAC system should be SEER 13 or higher.
Insulation is also very important when building or remodelling. The insulation used should be very good quality and spray sealant should be used as this allows for insulation to be placed in every crack and will prevent things such as mold and moisture from building. Good quality windows are also important when considering insulation for the home. Windows are rated according to their insulation values and should be checked before making any purchases.
It’s also a good idea to use a tankless hot water heater. These provide hot water on demand, instead of the hot water tanks that provide hot water constantly and this is a huge waste of energy. Solar panels on the roof, or an entire solar roof, will also make the house very green as well as save the homeowner on utility bills.
Many homebuiders are begining to offer Green communities. One such community in the Orlando - Widermere, FL area is Thornhill. Building green can empower individuals to become more socially conscious and will not only keep them healthier but they will also be doing something great for the environment while saving money in their monthly bills at the same time.
Jeff: Orlando Real Estate
One of the things I love about living in the Orlando area is that all of my friends from around the country love to visit here. With this in mind we have always tried to have a nice comfortable guest room for all of our out of town vistors. A guest room can be much more than just a spare bed with a lamp and maybe a night stand. These rooms can be a true getaway paradise for guests that stay with you, keeping just a few design trends in mind.
Not all homes are fortunate enough to have a separate room that can be used as guest quarters. In this case, a little creativity can turn an office or other room into a wonderful place to stay for visitors. Because these rooms are not solely used as guest rooms but are also needed as a place for the family to perform their daily activities, there are a few things to keep in mind, such as privacy. A folding screen can be placed in the middle of the room to separate the functional aspect of the space from the living space that guests will be using. A doorway can also be fitted with a decorative sheet or curtains that are held up using a curtain rod or a tension rod for those wider doorways.