Building your home with the environment in mind is good for the earth and your budget.
Builders and homeowners are increasingly becoming more aware of the environmental costs of building along with the costs of labor and materials. While it might seem that initial investments have the tendency to be a little higher for building green homes, you will quickly see returns on your investment with lower energy costs and a better quality of life. Luckily, there are also plenty of ways to build green even if you are on a strict budget.
Funding
Some states offer tax breaks to those who build or renovate energy-efficient and sustainable homes. To cut down on your costs, look into making use of these tax incentives wherever possible. Use resources such as DSIRE, a site that allows you to research the incentives available for energy efficiency in your state. Federal incentives are also available for the environmentally conscious, including grants and programs offered by the United States Department of Agriculture or the Department of Treasury.
Materials
Wherever possible, limit your reliance on new materials in the home's construction. This is cost and energy efficient. Reclaimed wood, cement and even screws are useful materials that you can use for your home. Search salvage yards, thrift stores, flea markets and even your community garbage dump for materials that you can repurpose for your green home.
You should also consider the safety of the materials you choose. It is wise to invest in safe, nontoxic recycled flooring options. Keeping your floors covered with ordinary poured concrete is more affordable than investing in expensive concrete overlays such as laminate or ceramic tile, which sometimes feature dyes and other toxins. To add comfort to the flooring, stick with recycled carpet tiles made of recycled or organic materials instead of wall-to-wall carpet.
Energy Efficiency
There are several ways to make your green home more energy efficient when building. For example, choose a roof for your home that is light in color. This will absorb less heat during the sunniest hours of the day, keeping your cooling costs down. Consider installing solar panels to collect energy from the sun and further cut down on your energy costs. Similarly, purchase energy-efficient appliances for your home. To keep within your budget, consider purchasing used items. While these appliances might require a slightly larger initial investment, they will save you money in the long run with reduced energy costs.
Another idea is to install a rainwater-catching system on your roof. Collecting rainwater will allow you to make use of this free resource, which will keep you from needing excess hose water during the build or when landscaping. Rain barrels can be placed under a downspout or rain diverter to collect the water for future use.
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