Energy efficiency is becoming a necessity throughout America and the world. The trend towards conserving energy and preserving our natural resources is leading to more green opportunities in housing.
If you have any D.I.Y. inclinations, applying clay plaster to walls is a simple process using a trowel over drywall, brick or existing plaster. While clay plaster is a good option for creating a unique look to any wall, it can also be used for other purposes, including finishing drywall seams.
After you narrow down which new home builder is right for you, you must then choose which floor plan will work or will fit best with your family. Here are descriptions of several 4 bedroom floor plans from various home builders.
With the current concerns about energy usage, the cost of oil, and comparing the size of your carbon footprint to everyone else's, it is no great surprise that we're seeing the spread of passive homes across the globe.
One unique project in Washington State saw an organization provide funding for the construction of 11 straw-bale homes in an effort to offer housing for low- to middle-income residents. An additional benefit to the community occurred when a group of college students and young apprentices in the building trades were recruited to help the homeowners build their future homes.
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is an internationally recognized green building certification system. First developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, this system has been adopted by many countries around the world. Residential and commercial contractors know that promoting their project as LEED Certified will shine a positive light on the building, resulting in a higher property value.
The oil crisis of the mid-70s spurred research into ways to conserve energy. During the period of investigation, it was realized that a large amount of energy was lost through the windows of buildings, so explorations were made into the problem of too-open window glass. It was discovered that the technology was, in fact, already created and being used.
Many types of cleaners also give off VOCs, so take time to check them out before you spray them around your home. The old standbys—vinegar and baking soda—work best in most situations and won’t make you sick. Also, stay away from indoor air fresheners as they can also be a source of VOCs in your indoor environment.
Use biodegradable detergent in your dishwasher and washing machine. A good rule of thumb is to find products guaranteed to break down in less than 30 days. When washing clothes, use cold water and use the clothes line for most drying.
Water your garden with a rain barrel. Hook up a rain barrel to your downspout or attach a fancy copper water catcher and start storing water for those hot summer days. Your barrel will weigh over 400 lbs when full, so ensure you find a level place to store it. One quarter inch of rain will yield 200 gallons of water.
Smaller homes are cheaper to heat than larger ones, but floor plans will play into this as well. Paying for a geothermal heating system in a newly built home will, of course, take less time than one that has been retrofitted into an existing home because of the additional work that it takes to fit a system into an existing home.
Although the building industry had a dark year in 2009, Green building seemed to somehow stick out and shine. According to the Multiple Listing Service date, certified sustainable green new homes actually rose the past year in the northern west coast areas like Portland and Seattle. This trend is believed to spread over the U.S. and green building is expected to grow within new home sales. Already new home sales are on a rise from a year ago with March of 2010 seeing the biggest jump in new home sales in 47 years. So what trends can we expect to see in 2010 in green new homes?
Inexpensive upgrades like solar water heating systems can pay for themselves relatively quickly due to their moderate cost and the fact that water heating can be such a costly endeavour when done conventionally. Geothermal heating can take longer to pay for itself because the system is more expensive to buy and install.
While it may seem odd that many consumers are still failing to see the obvious gains of an energy-saving lifestyle, there has at least been a groundswell in the building trade toward greener construction. Despite the many difficulties faced by the industry overall during 2009, green building has continued to thrive, both in the new homes and remodeling sectors.
Most home owners who are looking to live off-grid build a home with that goal specifically in mind before they start planning. A lot of planning has to go into an off-grid home before it is built if you're looking to put together an optimal system; many home owners have successfully renovated pre-existing homes to be off-grid as well, however you will likely have less options in design if you go off-grid in an existing home.
When contractors use low or non-VOC paints and adhesives, install laminate flooring instead of carpet, and incorporate an effective air exchange or ventilation system – all requirements in LEED construction and design – families can literally breathe easier.
A typical new home, built to building code standards, will have a rating of 65-72, a new home with some energy-efficient improvements will rate 73-79, and an energy-efficient new home will rank between 80 and 90. For any new home a rating of 80 or greater is considered excellent.
With our heightened concerns for saving money, the idea of energy efficiency seems to pop up more and more when looking at home articles. However, do you really know how to make your home more energy efficient?
Let's face it: green is the color of the new century. Whether it's to save the planet or to save some cash, people are all about being environmentally friendly these days. One thing that hardly ever gets mentioned, however, is that one of the best ways to save the planet is to live in one of the many Arizona green homes in the area. Here's a short list of things to look for in Arizona green homes.
The first simple, and relatively inexpensive, change should be to replace all lighting with low-energy fluorescent lamps. Although somewhat pricier to buy than their incandescent counterparts, they do use considerably less power and can last up to 15 times longer.
Did you know that your home can be a larger cause of pollution than your car? With 16 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions are produced from the energy used in houses nationwide. The burning of fossil fuels at power plants, which contributes to smog, acid rain, and global warming, comes from some of the energy used in our homes. Simply put, the less energy used in our homes, the less air pollution generated.
More and more frequently, Calgarians are using builders who understand energy efficiency and eco-friendliness and can build dwellings to green building codes. A popular option, offered by Karoleena Homes, are eco-friendly modular residences which result in very little waste. Not to be mistaken for mobile homes, modular homes are built future-ready for solar power and lend themselves nicely to sprawl-curbing initiatives such as inner-city infills and secondary suites.
Affordable, environmental friendly, healthier living and saving on energy costs are all benefits of buying a green home. It’s no wonder with such great benefits that there is an increasing demanded for new green homes and green new home trends in the housing market.
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