Discover ways to assess the ecological footprint and energy conservation of a newly constructed house.
Sustainability goes beyond being merely a trendy aspect in the fashion industry.
home decor
These days, it’s also a criterion that homebuyers use to decide if a property is worthy of their investment. However, do you fully grasp how this term relates to the various systems and features within your home?
A eco-friendly house is designed or cared for considering its environmental footprint. The concept of ‘sustainability’ encompasses various meanings, and distinct facets of sustainability hold significance for varying home purchasers. “The topic of sustainability offers much to discuss,” notes.
Andrew Legge
The CEO of Havelock Wool stated, “Unfortunately, there is just as much or even more to discuss regarding the misuse and misrepresentation of what sustainability truly entails.”
To assist you in assessing a home’s environmental impact during your search, professionals offer insights into the key elements you should keep in mind.
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What Is the Meaning of Sustainable Living at Home?
Overall, sustainability for a house pertains to its capacity to effectively utilize resources. Consider minimizing the amount of electricity needed to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. Likewise, a residence that saves water and minimizes waste can be regarded as sustainable.
For numerous people, these strategies ultimately affect their finances. “Sustainability is wonderful, but let’s face it—most purchasers are more concerned with saving money on utility bills rather than if a house is ‘eco-friendly,'” he states.
Becky Pendergrass
, a realtor affiliated with Benchmark Realty, LLC.
Certainly, there’s a bit more to it. “A genuinely energy-efficient house ensures minimal utility costs, maximum comfort levels, and maintains robust property values,” according to Pendergrass.
Utility bills provide an indication of a house’s sustainability, yet they do not present the complete scenario. A more comprehensive approach to assessing home sustainability involves evaluating the efficiency of various household systems and devices, including your heating, cooling, washing machine, dryer, and microwave.
‘ENERGY STAR’ is a government-backed symbol used to indicate sustainable, energy-saving appliances in the home. The group works to identify and approve appliances and systems that are proven to use less electricity and emit less greenhouse gas, for example.
Consider both the material features of the home, as well as the lifestyle factors. Not only do you want appliances and systems that work efficiently, you also want to make sure they’re in good shape. Homes with water leaks, or poor insulation, for example, won’t make for a sustainable home.
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Features to Consider When Looking for a Home
While searching for your new home, make sure to evaluate all the usual aspects that indicate its quality, yet keep an eye out specifically for elements that promote environmental sustainability.
HVAC System:
In Nashville, where summers are extremely hot and winters are erratic, an inadequate heating and cooling system can significantly impact your finances,” explains Pendergrass. “It’s crucial to assess the unit’s age and energy-efficiency ratings—should it be outdated and inefficient, you’ll end up bearing those costs through elevated monthly utility expenses.
Window Quality:
Next, examine your home’s windows and insulation. New windows can assist in keeping your home at a stable temperature, reducing the influx of sunlight and warmth during summers and retaining heat indoors throughout winters.
Pendergrass mentions that he had a client who was smitten with a 1920s bungalow. However, upon inspecting the windows and insulation, they discovered that the utility costs could skyrocket,” she explains. “Since replacing windows and enhancing insulation can be quite expensive, homes that have already undergone these energy-efficient improvements are highly advantageous.
Proper Insulation:
If you have older insulation, your HVAC system may need to exert more effort. Additionally, mold and mildew within the aged insulation can lead to further issues for your house. “It’s particularly beneficial to understand the construction of the building envelope, the specific materials utilized, the approach taken towards heating and cooling, as well as any present alternative energy sources,” explains Legge.
Smart Energy-Saving Features:
Several modern amenities worth considering include intelligent thermostats and solar panel installations, both of which can contribute to significant cost reductions over time. As Pendergrass points out, “An intelligent thermostat offers a simple yet effective way to enhance energy efficiency.” Conversely, he notes that solar panels may pose challenges; specifically, leasing them rather than owning them could complicate the process of reselling the property further down the line.
Drafty Spots:
Legge also suggests evaluating the overall “envelope” of your home. When it comes to heating and cooling, homes should be sealed against weather. “Air infiltration is a killer,” he says. “Seals around windows and doors are a great place to look. Thereafter particular attention to crawl spaces and attics is important as these areas are very often overlooked on the maintenance schedule.” Rooms with drafts can be a bad sign of poor insulation and seals.
Current Utility Costs:
If you wish to thoroughly investigate, request your representative to seek out copies of the present homeowners’ utility bills. This will help determine if the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems meet standards, according to Forrest Webber, an analyst at Plastic Fusion, a firm focused on sustainable environmental solutions.
“Utility bills serve as a good indicator, particularly when compared with those of friends and family living nearby. If your invoice significantly exceeds that of a comparable-sized home, this suggests inefficiency,” explains Webber, noting further that an unusually high utility bill is the primary warning sign for issues with the HVAC system.
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How to Make Up Your Mind: Evaluate the Advantages and Disadvantages
When shopping for a home, consider how much space you genuinely require. According to Legge, purchasing a property with numerous unused rooms goes against sustainability principles since it leads to unnecessary energy consumption and increased expenses.
There are many homes constructed with various areas that go unused,” he remarks. “Maybe avoid purchasing or building more than what you actually require.
If building an eco-friendly house was merely a matter of wishing for it, everyone would possess one. Nonetheless, financial constraints play a significant role. “Reaching sustainability and high performance doesn’t always boil down to investing funds,” Legge states. “As with everything else, premium-quality materials come at a greater expense compared to their inferior counterparts.”
Considering this, ensure you have the means to afford it.
fund necessary improvements
To ensure your residence is eco-friendly and keep it that way. Lastly, don’t hesitate to inquire with your representative and arrange for an assessment to gain accurate insights into your property’s environmental impact. “The evaluation should encompass operating expenses and pinpoint regions needing enhancement, typically involving insulation deficiencies or absence thereof,” states Legge.
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Sustainable Upgrades to Consider
If you’re in a home that isn’t very eco-friendly, consider making some important updates to boost your house’s energy efficiency, beginning with its systems.
Choose Energy-Saving Appliances:
“Begin with major items such as upgrading your appliances, plumbing fixtures, and toilets to versions that save energy and water,” suggests
Jennifer Jones
, serving as the lead designer at Niche Interiors. Certainly, you might want to explore more about the items you’re incorporating into your environment.
Sustainable interior design emphasizes
improving indoor air quality
, reducing the impact that furniture purchases have on the environment and conserving resources such as water and energy,” Jones explains.
Consider Solar:
Next, Webber suggests
examining the house’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning setup
, and even think about using solar power. ‘You can enhance insulation, install solar panels, switch to smart thermostats, and much more,’ he states.
Thoughtfully Consider New Elements:
Considering sustainability, review the items you’ve bought and carefully choose your upcoming purchases. For instance, goods constructed from inexpensive wood may not come from sustainable sources.
When purchasing furniture, opt for items manufactured domestically to lessen your environmental impact,” advises Jones. “Check for the FSC logo on wooden products, indicating they come from sustainably managed forests. Additionally, furniture bearing Greenguard certification signifies that these goods emit minimal chemicals, promoting better quality indoor air.
Be Mindful of Brands:
Remember that delving deeply into sustainability details can lead you down a complex path. “Sadly, identifying eco-friendly options isn’t straightforward because numerous elements contribute to assessing whether a material or item is truly sustainable, including its origin, shipping location, composition, and production process.”
If you want to get into the nitty-gritty, look for brands that are transparent about their sustainability practices and reporting to find furniture and homewares that are properly made and sourced.
Adjust Your Lifestyle:
Purchasing costly eco-friendly devices isn’t the sole method to render your residence greener. Minor adjustments in daily habits like reducing trash can also help.
composting
,
recycling
, and
buying secondhand items
Each of us can make a significant impact.
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Better Homes & Gardens