Green living is all the rage, and you can fully immerse yourself in a sustainable lifestyle if you decide to build your own home rather than purchase an existing property. During the planning and design phase, you can work with your builder to incorporate sustainable features into your new construction home. After you move in, you will easily be able to adjust your habits and routines in order to save energy, reduce your carbon footprint and realize cost savings along the way.
Here are a few steps you can take in order to build a sustainable home:
Request that Your Builder Use Sustainable Materials During Construction
One of the best ways to have an impact on your local environment is work with your builder to ensure that sustainable materials are used during the construction of your home. Some examples of sustainable materials include:
- Recycled materials for doors, flooring and windows.
- Locally-harvested wood for framing and flooring.
- Non-toxic and non-allergenic materials that will prevent mold issues in the future.
Make the Most of Solar Energy Opportunities
One of the most important resources that you can take advantage of when you are building a new construction home is the sun. For starters, you can work closely with your builder to ensure that your home maximizes the use of the sun's rays by situating the home in an advantageous location on the lot. When sunlight is allowed to stream directly into the windows, you will spend less money and energy heating your home. In addition, you may want to install solar panels to collect solar energy to power parts of your new home.
Select Energy-Efficient Windows for Your New House
Most people do not realize the important role that windows play in conserving energy and utilizing it efficiently. As you select windows for your new home, be sure to consider your options carefully. While you may pay less initially for lower-quality windows, you will end up paying more in heating and cooling costs while you live in the home. Investing in high-quality, energy-efficient windows will reduce the energy you use in the home while simultaneously saving you money in utility costs.
Opt for Energy-Efficient Appliances and Features
As you finalize the details of your new construction home, consider how every choice you make could have an impact on the sustainability of your property. Low-flow toilets and tubs, for example, can significantly reduce the amount of water that is used on a daily basis. Energy-efficient appliances are also an ideal option for anyone who is looking to adopt a sustainable lifestyle in their new home.
If you know that you want sustainability to be a top priority during the construction of your new home, then you need to find a reputable builder who knows how to incorporate the latest trends into their home designs. An experienced builder with local connections can help you create a home that allows you to enjoy your green lifestyle for years to come.
About the Author
Kimberly Hering
Kimberly Hering's devotion to helping people achieve their real estate goals stems from her genuine enjoyment of the process. Whatever the task, Kimberly makes it her mission to get it done, however she can, without compromising her client's needs. Often, that means thinking outside the box. After working with Kimberly, clients describe her as being Trustworthy, Creative, Patient, Highly Skilled, Attentive to the Process and having a lot of Integrity.
After spending more than 15 successful years working on Wall Street, Kimberly transitioned into Real Estate, joining Alain Pinel Realtors, then moving to Zephyr, now Corcoran Global Living, in 2018. During her career on Wall Street, Kimberly was a Vice President working as an Institutional Equity Salesperson for Montgomery Securities for 10 years. She covered the top money managers throughout the US and Canada. She joined Jefferies & Co as a Senior Vice President managing the Western Region Institutional Sales group, while continuing to cover the top money managers.
Kimberly leverages her extensive experience selling equities to top money managers throughout the US and Canada, to successfully negotiating any Real Estate transaction seamlessly for her clients. Kimberly is well versed in Marin's neighborhoods, towns, cities, and education system.
Living in the Bay Area for 35 years, 25 years in Marin and having 2 sons in local Marin schools, Kimberly spends a lot of time volunteering in the community and serving on various local Boards. Kimberly has a collection of resources ranging from the best local breakfast spots to vetted contractors. With her reliable list of valuable resources, Real Estate experience and unsurpassed knowledge of Marin's many communities, Kimberly can guide her clients through every aspect of a Real Estate transaction seamlessly.
Relocating to Marin, downsizing, upsizing, first time home buying, final home purchase or sale, or a lot to build a dream home, no matter the undertaking, Kimberly works seamlessly until the job at hand is completed with 100% satisfaction.