5 Ways Of Making Your Luxury Home More Eco-Friendly

LEED-certified green buildings in the US and other regions consume 11% less water and 25% less energy than non-green buildings, according to the World Green Building Council. Global warming and its impacts, such as rising temperatures, melting glaciers and other natural disasters, have become a hot topic in recent years. As a result, more and more homeowners are opting for environmentally-friendly home designs and building methods to reduce their carbon footprints.

Many homebuyers, however, are under the assumption that going green means they have to forego luxury in their living space. But that’s not the case, because it’s possible to balance sustainability and luxury in your home. All you need to do is follow the right steps to transform your house into an eco-friendly space with all the luxe features that will enable you to live a sustainable lifestyle, in style. Read on to learn a few ways of making your luxury home more eco-friendly. 

Opt for Sustainable Materials Sourced Locally


Building homes with green materials sourced locally might seem like a new trend, but it’s not. For millennia builders have used this method, as they could only choose wood, stone, thatch or clay, depending on the available resources in their region. Today, architects and builders implement this tactic to reduce the environmental impacts of modern construction practices.  

So, if you plan to build the perfect green luxury home, take time to research if it’s possible to use stone, wood, clay or bamboo in your desired property location. Remember, imported construction materials might appear elegant, but they cause a lot of pollution. Typically, imported building materials require transportation over a long distance, which results in carbon emissions from fossil fuels. Plus, most imported synthetic materials contain toxic chemicals that pollute indoor and outdoor air. 

Invest in Proper Insulation 


Heating and cooling take up most of the energy in homes, and much of these precious resources go to waste due to improper insulation. Don’t assume that because you’ve bought a luxury home, that you won’t need to inspect and maintain its weather-tightness. To ensure your luxury home is energy-efficient and more sustainable, improve your insulation.

Seal the windows, doors, basement and attic properly. There are many benefits linked to proper insulation, such as energy savings, improved comfort, increased property value and reduced carbon footprint. Investing in quality insulation also helps you prevent mold and mildew from growing in your home as it controls condensation. 

Utilize Solar Energy


sunlight on flowers - 5 ways of making your luxury home more eco-friendly

While proper insulation improves energy efficiency in homes, you’ll still need more energy to heat, cool and operate your luxury property due to its vast size. Supplying your entire home with electricity rather than gas might sound ideal, but it can be costly. Increased home size, and the increased use of energy that comes with it, also increases your carbon footprint, making your luxury home unsustainable.

Fortunately, there are various ways you can heat, cool and power your lavish property. And the most cost-effective and sustainable way possible is making the most of solar energy. What’s more, tech advancements have inspired solar companies to design attractive panels that generate passive energy for your home.

For instance, Sweden’s Soltech company creates glass roof panels that allow contractors to build energy-efficient homes while maintaining elegant exteriors. With solar power, you can even heat those lavish extras like your pool, and reduce your high utility bills and environmental impact. All you need to do is invest in solar-powered pool heaters. Buying solar pool heaters make your home luxurious. They create an opportunity for your family and friends to enjoy swimming even during winter.

Consider LED Lighting Fixtures 


Lighting fixtures are important considerations when designing a luxury green home. As a homeowner, you want to create versatile and chic designs that leave a lasting impression on visitors. To make your house elegant and sustainable, consider fitting LED lighting in your interior and exterior spaces. LED bulbs provide long-lasting illumination without increasing your energy bill.

You can also blend lighting and texture by installing soft cell panels. These cells produce a subtle glow, creating an elegant ambiance in any room without consuming a lot of energy. Alternatively, you can decorate your luxe living room with a statement pendant light fixture made of bamboo or upcycled metal. 

Design a Sustainable Garden 


Outdoor landscaping has always been an essential part of luxury home architecture. However, modern landscape designs focus more on gardens with farm-to-table possibilities. This concept entails designing a garden that’s sustainable and aesthetically appealing.

Ideally, your garden should produce various vegetables, herbs and fruits, and provide a habitat for wildlife. So, in addition to creating a vegetable patch and orchard, consider installing natural features that are appropriate for the ecosystem you live in.  

As more individuals become conscious of their impact on the environment, potential homeowners question if it’s possible to build sustainable luxury homes. The truth is that you can design an environmentally friendly, luxe house without much hassle. To achieve the best outcomes, make sure you use sustainable materials bought locally. Also, invest in solar energy, create a sustainable garden, consider LED lighting and insulate your home correctly. 

Feature image: Stephen Leonardi; Image 1: Dua Chuot

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