These days, we all want to make better decisions when it comes to our purchases. It’s not just about saving money or maintaining a healthier lifestyle for ourselves. More people are demonstrating their concern for the world by supporting brands and products that show environmental responsibility. The same should be true when buying an eco-friendly house.
So, how can we make a difference when it comes to the homes we buy for ourselves and our families? An expert home remodeling contractor in Cherry Hill, NJ has a few tips on making eco-friendly considerations when buying a new home.
Using Eco-Friendly Insulation
Insulation is an essential part of every home construction. Air movement can be a critical factor in heating and cooling your home. Insulation in areas like your walls, basement, and attic can help control the level of air movement, preventing heat from flowing out of your home in the winter or A/C during the summer.
Eco-friendly insulation upgrades this by using natural and sustainable materials. In the past, formaldehyde was used to make insulation. Now we know this is a dangerous substance. Modern insulation reduces the amount of carbon footprint and makes for a more energy-efficient house.
As an added benefit to buying an eco-friendly house, this eco-friendly insulation is also more cost-effective. Icynene, a spray foam form of eco-friendly insulation, can reduce a homeowner’s energy bill by as much as 50 percent. If you’re looking for an intelligent choice for your new home, then eco-friendly insulation could be the first step.
Installing Solar Panels
Solar panels are being used more and more by new homeowners. Originally developed to power satellites and spacecraft, developments in solar technology over the years have allowed manufacturers to use solar panels in convenient ways for homes.
Solar panels allow homeowners to use the sun’s radiation and convert it into direct current electricity. In turn, this lets you use the electricity to power your home through a photovoltaic energy system.
Installing solar panels doesn’t have to be a huge commitment. You can try solar panel technology a bit at a time, such as using solar-powered cell phone chargers or garden lights. If you want to go all-in, you can integrate solar power into your home design and construction.
Whatever the choice, solar panels can be an excellent decision for homeowners who want to lessen their environmental impact. Modern solar panels can produce electricity for up to 25 years while saving money on energy bills.
Sustainable Wood for Rooms
Homeowners who choose sustainable wood for certain rooms make a decision that benefits both their new homes and the environment. Sustainable lumber is gathered from low-impact logging methods. This protects existing trees, waterways, and indigenous groups’ rights in the surrounding area.
With other wood harvesting methods leading to environmental impacts like deforestation and water pollution, homeowners can choose sustainable wood for specific areas of their homes. Black cherry wood for living room flooring, or maple for sturdy doors, are just a couple of examples of using sustainable lumber for home design.
The Forest Stewardship Council manages more than 150 million acres of wood. The FSC is one of the organizations that certifies wood sustainability. Using sustainable wood can be a smart option for homeowners who want to be part of the change in helping the environment.
Consumers are looking for more environmentally friendly options in their purchases. As they say, it starts at home. In making these eco-friendly considerations, new homeowners can lessen their environmental impact and may even save on costs along the way.
