Green Home Plans – What’s Hot in Eco-Friendly Design and Planning
Because of the overwhelming amount of information on eco-friendly architecture and green home plans, many homeowners don’t know where to begin. However, it’s important for homeowners to build with green living in mind, since it helps save money on power and other utility bills, it improves the indoor environment, and it enhances air quality and comfort. Here’s a quick update on what’s hot and what’s not in the world of green home plans.
What’s Hot:
- Energy Star Qualified Homes. Characteristic features of Energy Star green home plans include an ecologically aware home envelope with efficient levels of wall, floor and attic insulation correctly installed, comprehensive air barrier details, and high performance windows. These plans also include efficient lighting and appliances, all of which meet Energy Star standards.
- Renewable and Recyclable Materials. Green home plans go all-out to use eco-friendly building materials and furniture and will include leftovers where possible. Examples of earth friendly and renewable materials include cork, bamboo and eucalyptus, which feature prominently in environmental building designs. Your plans should also include alternative energy sources, such as solar and wind power.
What’s Not:
- Greenwashing. This is the ascription of “green” qualities to a product that is modestly sustainable at best. Many homeowners fall victim to greenwashing when coming up with green home plans. A green home should be designed and built wisely with particular emphasis on a passive design and a well-sealed, efficient building envelope.
- Standard Building Practices. Conventional buildings are harmful to your health. From volatile organic compounds in paint to arsenic in pressure treated lumber, building a home the standard way can land you in hospital, or worse. It’s important to know where to find alternative products and skill, so you can use green home plans to design interior and exterior space, and choose construction materials that boost and support your physical well being.