With sustainable homes, the construction is done so that resources are conserved, with quality systems being given a longer lifespan. The materials used for these properties create the least impact but perform optimally with the greatest efficiency for installation, shipping, and manufacture.
Learn about high-performance homes at no added cost here: https://bestinamericanliving.com/2017/11/high-performance-homes-at-no-more-cost/.
When using systems and materials of quality, there’s greater longevity, meaning there will be less chance for deterioration or breakdown, leading to minimal waste. Energy efficiency is another primary component of a sustainable home extending throughout the property’s lifespan.
The parts of a home to consider when looking at sustainability include the following:
- Personal behavior with care/upkeep, green cleaning, conservation
- Building methods/materials
- Resources for generating energy, i.e., solar.
- Decorating elements
- Smart implementation
- Insulation
- Plumbing
- Doors and windows
- Appliances
- HVAC
- Lighting
These are all considerations when building a high-performance home, a house constructed with energy efficiency, conserving resources, and eliminating waste as the primary focus. You can also check out The High Performance Home and be guided with some of the construction companies you can work with in your area.
Can you make changes to your existing home to bring it to the same level as a sustainable home? Consider these suggestions to make your sustainability goals a reality.
Tips for Changes That Can Meet Sustainability Objectives in Your Home
While you might not be able to afford to move from the home you are currently in a high-efficiency home, you could take steps to make your house more efficient and sustainable with just a few changes while sticking to what is a restrictive budget.
Let us look at some suggestions to help you meet your sustainability objectives reasonably.
- Door and window drafts
Old weatherstripping should be replaced. It is wise to use foam tape for any cracks or crevices. When you find gaps that allow air to pass through, it deprives the home of efficiency.
When you cannot replace the windows with higher-efficiency options, it is essential to go around each one to find where the air is coming in so you can resolve the situation.
The same is true with doors and any other areas in the home where air might be escaping. A priority with windows that do not have a reflective component is to invest in window treatments. These can block the UV rays but reflect the sun’s energy back into the house for heat-decreasing drafts in the winter.
- Consider your home’s insulation.
It is worth speaking with an expert for guidance on improving the insulation to create the greatest efficiency in the household. This can include either blown-in solutions for the attic, foam injection, or other choices for walls, ceilings, or floors.
If you want to mimic high-performance homes, builders use high-quality insulation layered for optimum coverage to create an almost air-tight seal, leaving no room for air or any contaminants to pass through. With the right solution, the house will be more sustainable.
- Cleaning and upkeep
Appliances in the home will perform at peak capacity with greater efficiency if you maintain cleanliness. With a dryer, this means removing all lint from each vent. Periodically, that could mean having a professional come to remove the lint from the primary vent. But as the homeowner, you can keep the other vents free.
The refrigerator coils on the back of the appliance should be kept clean from grime, dirt, and debris. It will not have to work as hard to do its job. When the appliances are not working harder, you will pay less utility costs.
- Light bulbs
Incandescent bulbs or fluorescent lights should be replaced with CFL or LED with lower energy consumption. These have a long lifespan, burn much more efficiently, are not hot to the touch, and have minimal toxic metals. Utility costs will decrease when you switch out all your bulbs for these noticeably.
Plus, you will be changing out the light bulbs on a less frequent basis. Incandescent bulbs burn hot and have a short lifespan with a high cost for use. They are gradually getting phased out in place of the more efficient options.
- Choose to use cold water.
Save some energy when washing your laundry. There is genuinely no real reason to wash clothes on the hot cycle. You can wash almost anything with cold water as long as your washer is high-efficiency, and the detergent is of good quality.
The clothes will still come out clean, but you will not spend a fortune each week on laundry costs, not to mention the wear, fading, and shrinkage potential that comes with using hot water. With cold water, your clothes will stay fresh and new for an extended life.
Final Thought
When your goal is to achieve a high-performance house, by that time, making your household more energy efficient and being successful in becoming sustainable will lessen your carbon footprint and save considerably on your utility costs.
Taking those steps will prepare you for life in a high-performance home. Read here about the construction of these houses.