We live in a modern, consumerist and mostly urban world, and we consume a huge amount of natural resources each day. Although it didn’t raise much concern in the previous decades, ever since we’ve started to feel the consequences of our misbehavior, energy-efficiency has become a burning issue. The impact of misuse of natural resources is severe, and we are facing the lack of petroleum and mineral sources, large scale pollution, radiation risks, etc. There is an urgent need for globally accepted procedures that will help minimize the poor effects of centuries of misuse of natural resources, but until then we shouldn’t just sit and wait. If you are unsure about joining the struggle, we will give you some good reasons why you should do it, and why you should start with your own home.
Saving Time
If you are building your house from scratch, or you are building an extension or renovating, you should decide for eco-friendly materials, which will shorten the otherwise long and exhausting construction process. Green building materials are usually easier to use and many of them last longer. Some of the eco-friendly materials that can be used in house constructions – from floors to walls – are reclaimed wood, bamboo, cork, linoleum, and other raw building materials that can be acquired from certified manufacturers.
Saving Money
A sustainable house saves money in numerous ways. One of them is the initial saving on the material, because most of it is recycled or second hand. As for the appliances, for instance, the energy-efficient variety may cost more than its counterpart, but in the long run it can be a great money saver. According to Energy.gov, Energy Star qualified products – such as dishwashers, laundry machines and refrigerators – are about 20% more energy efficient than standard models. Also, initially expensive updates – like solar panels, insulation, geothermal heating and photovoltaic cells – will, eventually, keep your utility bills low. Further, less expensive upgrades, such as smart thermostat, collecting rain water, window shading, etc. can be of immense help too.
Giving Example and Getting Support
Setting a good example for your neighbors, kids, and the rest of the world for that matter, might not be a tangible benefit – but it surely is one. There are strong indications that green houses represent the housing of future. This means that, sooner or later, everyone will have them – so you have the chance of being a pioneer. And now we arrive to the tangible benefits – the fact that you are among the ones who are making the first steps towards sustainability means that you will be able to get support in the form of financing. Many people are still not aware of the help they can get to construct a green house or update their old house with eco-friendly features, so if you have any doubts, you can find out more about green house financing on this link.
Living a Healthier Life
A 2014 study by the Harvard School of Public Health about the indoor air quality concluded that the air quality in green houses is healthier than the one in standard buildings. Participants in the study who moved to eco-friendly houses showed improvement in health and 47 percent fewer sick symptoms than people living in buildings. Some of the things people who live in conventionally built houses are exposed to are: volatile organic compounds (known carcinogens), toxins or irritants present in plastic, paint and wall materials. Opting for eco-friendly materials and appliances will improve air quality and thus make your home a healthier place to live in.
Saving the Planet
Last, but most definitely not the least – by investing in a sustainable home, you are investing in the future of your children, children of your children, and so on. By using energy-efficient materials in construction, insulation, maintaining and everyday functioning of your house, you are lessening your environmental footprint, or impact on pollution and resource use.
After all the things said, why make your house sustainable is no longer the question. Now it is the time to discover how to do that, and finally get down to business.
