Eco-Friendly House Design
Eco-friendly house design is one of the newest ideas to enter mainstream building, which is great for functionality and the environment. There are many things you can do to make your home more eco-friendly, save money, and reduce your carbon footprint.
Orientation & Windows
When designing a green home, you should consider the positioning of the home. It is a good idea to ensure that it is aligned on an east to west axis. Ensure that your windows are facing either true north or south. In order to minimise the amount of heat in the home, use large windows on the north side of the house to allow cool air to enter and spread natural light more effectively. On the south side of the home, use smaller windows with shades to minimise direct sunlight but still allow natural light to enter. While it may seem trivial, correct positioning can significantly reduce your electric bills and allow for an aesthetically pleasing design.
Eco-Friendly Building Materials
When you are building a new home, you should use sustainable building materials such as cement, ceramics, bricks, aluminium, steel, and glass. You should choose recycled materials if they are available to reduce your footprint even more. Many of the eco-friendly materials will also allow for maximum energy efficiency without sacrificing beauty.
When you choose windows for your home, try to use wooden or aluminium frames. Aluminium frames are recyclable and energy efficient. They are also affordable and contain no carcinogens (cancer causing agents). It is a good idea to use windows that can be opened to allow natural airflow and to allow heat to escape from the house in the hot summer days.
Roofing for Eco-Friendly House Designs
While many people choose to use zinc roofing, asphalt shingles, or stucco tiles, green roofing is a much better alternative. A great choice is to use green grass roofs since they are effective for insulating, they will help to reduce energy consumption, and is very aesthetically pleasing. You should also consider installing a guttering system to collect fresh rainwater for use in toilets, washing machines, drinking (if you decide to use a purification system), for irrigation, and even to fill swimming pools.
Solar Panels & Using Electricity Efficiently
Incorporating solar panels into your wall or roof design can serve as a replacement for purchasing electricity. Solar power also ensures that you never run out of power and you can minimise the risk of power surges. If you decide to use a solar power system, you should consult professionals for installation to ensure maximum light exposure.
Using low wattage bulbs is a great energy saving tool since they use less electricity and often shine brighter than standard fluorescent or incandescent bulbs. In order to minimise your use of electricity, you should consider the option of using motion sensors in small rooms like pantries, bathrooms, and walk-in closets. Most people forget to turn off these lights when they leave, so the motion sensor lights can save you money and minimise your electric use.
Wrapping Up
Incorporating eco-friendly house design ideas into your new home can save you money and make your home more green. You can do this by making use of natural light and airflow, using recycled and recyclable materials, and conserving both water and electricity. By using guttering systems and low flow bathroom fixtures to minimise water use and solar or wind power systems to minimize your electricity use, you will be making a huge difference to the environment.
