While our houses might be where we live, our true home is the Earth. That’s why it’s wise to consider the impact our homes have on the environment.
That said, helping the planet is just one of the benefits of building a sustainable home. Find out all the ways a sustainable home can improve your living situation.
Decrease Your Carbon Footprint
One of the best benefits of building a sustainable home is lowering your carbon footprint. A carbon footprint refers to the amount of greenhouse gases each person creates through their lifestyle choices. Essentially, it’s a way to measure an individual’s direct impact on the environment.
Choosing a home with a smaller physical footprint is an eco-friendly choice you can make during the construction process. Whether you’re deciding between a container home or a tiny home, any type of smaller home will use fewer materials and require minimal utilities.
Lower Cost on Utilities
Sustainable homes typically include features that lower water and electricity use. Since these utilities account for a large portion of monthly expenses, investing in a sustainable home can save you money. For example, low-flow showerheads use less water, which will lower your monthly water bill.
Solar panels are also a common feature of eco-friendly homes. These panels capture sunlight and convert it into usable electricity, so you won’t have to rely as much on traditional utilities. In fact, some power companies offer rebates to homeowners who install solar panels.
Improve Your Quality of Life
Homes built before the 1970s often used hazardous materials like asbestos and lead. While you won’t find these substances in any newly built homes, your new home can contain other potentially harmful chemicals.
For example, conventional paint and carpeting often contain formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Exposure to VOCs can irritate your eyes and throat and even contribute to lung disease.
Sustainable home builders use eco-friendly materials that have fewer dangerous chemicals. In fact, controlling what materials go in your home is an essential consideration for custom home construction—and one of the biggest benefits. You’ll enjoy a better quality of life and greater peace of mind without exposure to harmful chemicals.
An eco-friendly home lowers your monthly utilities, improves your life, and minimizes your effects on the environment. Plus, you’ll have the satisfaction of doing your part to slow climate change.
