Building your house from the ground up provides many incredible benefits. You get to select the floorplan that you want. Newer homes feature modern finishes and features. They are also typically more energy-efficient.

Energy-efficient appliances help to reduce your home’s use of electricity or natural gas. They also help you to save money. If you’re looking to build a greener home, energy-efficient appliances are just one factor to consider. Here are X tips that can help you to build a green home.

Go Smaller

It doesn’t matter how eco-friendly you build a large home. A smaller house with the same energy-efficient appliances and eco-friendly features will have a much smaller impact.

This doesn’t mean that you need to build a tiny home. Instead, avoid wasted space (and energy) by building only what you need. If you plan on having a family in the future, this should be taken into consideration. Using some creativity, you can design a floorplan that works best for your lifestyle while still minimizing your footprint.  

Use a Programmable Thermostat

Heating and air conditioning are one of the home’s biggest expenses. Your thermostat is the control center for your HVAC unit. You can change the temperature as needed to keep the atmosphere of your home comfortable.

Programmable thermostats provide you with even greater control. Not only can you alter the temperature at the thermostat, but you can set a schedule based on your daily routine. It can automatically lower (or raise) the temperature when you leave and return home, when you go to bed and when you wake up. Some thermostats allow you to set a vacation mode. You may even consider a smart thermostat, which allows you to control the temperature from any connected smart device no matter where you are.

Use Sustainable Materials

When selecting the materials from your home, from your frame to your walls to your floors, look into sustainable ones. For instance, when shopping for wood flooring, look for wood from responsibly managed forests or choose materials that renew quickly, such as bamboo. Other options to consider are cork and linoleum, the latter of which can last as long as 25 to 40 years and is completely recyclable.

Install Solar Panels

If your home runs on traditional electricity, it still uses energy, no matter how energy-efficient your appliances are. While the appliances do reduce your consumption, there is a way you can further reduce your reliance on traditional energy.

Installing rooftop solar panels enables you to harvest the energy of the sun. The panels convert the sun’s rays into energy that can power everything in your home, from your lights to your appliances, to your electronics. By using the sun, you reduce your reliance on traditional energy. If you harvest enough, you don’t have to use traditional energy at all, which reduces your footprint and saves you money.

Pay Attention to Indoor Air Quality

The air you breathe inside your home is important for your overall health. The problem is that many traditional building materials aren’t made with air quality in mind. Paints, carpeting, poor ventilation, and certain building materials may contain harmful chemicals that can impact the air you breathe. Ways to ensure good air quality in your green home include:

• Using paints that don’t contain VOCs.

• Avoiding carpeting (or choosing a natural material such as wool).

• Using formaldehyde-free building materials.

• Installing proper ventilation.

• Making sure you have a HEPA air filter or adding an air filtration system to your home.

Insulate with Recycled Materials

Proper insulation is vital for energy-efficiency and keeping your home comfortable. For a green home, use recycled materials for insulation. Not only are recycled materials cheaper, but they also perform just as well as (if not better than) brand-new insulation materials. You can find materials like wood pulp, cotton, and wool as roll-in or spray form.

Building a green home is an excellent way to help reduce your carbon footprint. You have a comfortable place to live, spend less on energy, and minimize your overall impact on the environment.