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
Kyung Kim
Hi, I'm Kyung Kim. I immigrated from South Korea to the United States in 1968 when I was 7 years old. I have seen my mom struggle with the English language and work hard to raise her four kids by herself. Still to this day, I don't know how she pulled it off, but she bought her first home in 1979 for $70,000 and because of that decision, she was able to live without worrying about her financial future. I want that for everyone, to feel the pride of home ownership and to build their financial wealth using real estate as part of their financial portfolio. I feel so blessed to play a small role in helping others reach this goal.
I live in Beaverton with my husband, Richard. My mom, who lived with us for several years, passed away in our home in February 2022. Her first home purchase in 1979 made it possible for her to live to the very end, without worrying about her finances. As of August 2022 with a little downpayment assistance, our four children own their own homes. Being in real estate, I quickly realized that if they didn't buy now, they may be priced out of the market in the future. Whether that would have been the case, we will never know, but what we do know is that they are all realizing some good, healthy appreciation in their home values.
As passionate as I am about people owning their homes, I'm also passionate about giving back to our community. I support Compassion First, a non-profit organization that provides aftercare for sex trafficked girls in Indonesia. My husband and I also feel called to financially support social injustice organizations.
I'd love to assist you. Whether you're in the research phase at the beginning of your real estate search or you know exactly what you're looking for, you'll benefit from having a real estate professional by your side. I'd be honored to put my real estate experience to work for you.
