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The energy efficiency of a house is one of the most desired features for potential home buyers, with 89% wanting this element to limit utility bills. Indeed, environmentally-friendly homes have become so popular in the last few decades because people want to live sustainably, decrease their carbon footprint, and save money. If you’re planning to build an eco-friendly home, focus on a good layout, harness renewable sources of power, and build a smart roof.

Layout Plays A Vital Role

When constructing a custom home build that is eco-friendly, it is important to focus on a good layout so that the natural features of a property are used in a rational and efficient way. For example, windows play a critical role in making a home environmentally-friendly. Take note of the direction of prevailing winds to promote natural ventilation throughout the house. Window frames are also vital to protect your home from water or structural damages in case of thaws or sub-zero temperatures. Hence, recycled window frames in aluminum or wood are ideal and sustainable materials.

Simply put, windows and doors must be well-insulated and properly installed to ensure minimum heat loss during cold days and to maintain cooler temperatures when it is hot outside, preventing warm air from entering your home. Before building living spaces, consider the usage of rooms to identify which areas will need the most heating or cooling. The amount of natural light that a room receives is also a factor to consider so that you can identify suitable materials that are effective in absorbing the heat of the sun. For example, bricks are great as wall materials, as are ceramics, which are low-maintenance and elegant at the same time.

Solar Power And Roofs

Sunlight is a clean and infinite source of inexpensive energy. When building your home, include solar power in your plan. Take advantage of positioning solar panels to get the maximum energy: this can save you lots of money in utility bills. Situating your home in a strategic position can also impact the amount of power that you can harness. You can even generate enough energy that you can sell back to your power company.

The type of material you use for your roof affects the energy efficiency of your home. Roofing products that keep the sun’s rays away from the roof itself will allow your abode to cool faster at night. Some examples of these types of roofing materials include terra cotta, slate, and white tiles. You can also opt for green roof structures, which might be more expensive than traditional ones, but will offer many benefits, including noise reduction, protection of the roof membrane, and lower energy usage.

Constructing an eco-friendly house has many advantages such as energy efficiency, significant savings, and a better environment. It can be done intelligently by planning the layout efficiently to take advantage of natural elements and materials, using solar power, and installing smart roofs.

Sam Allcock