8 Green Home Features That Can Save Your Budget and the Environment

The simple act of running your household has a direct impact on the size of your carbon footprint. Homeowners are more conscious than ever before about how their home may affect their surrounding environment and are taking action to curb their impact.

New home construction has recently embraced many eco-friendly tactics that can help reduce the amount of emissions homes produce and the amount of energy homeowners consume. From installing solar power to using recycled and sustainable building materials, there are many green features you can use to reduce your footprint.

Before adding any eco-friendly features, it’s a good idea to check out a few home insurance quotes to see what companies offer rewards for sustainable additions. The great thing about adding green features to your home is that they not only help you save the environment but, they can also save you money. Let’s look at a few green features that will both save your budget and reduce your carbon footprint.

Sustainable Materials


The construction of your home itself can have a huge impact on your overall sustainability. The use of recycled and local materials can reduce your impact. Using pre-used materials that are bought locally mean that they require no new resources and less transportation, helping you to lower the carbon footprint associated with your home. Recycled flooring, bricks and masonry, as well as reclaimed glass windows can all be excellent green additions to a home.

Low-Flow Water


Water consumption is a luxury that is often overlooked in a home. We are so accustomed to having water on demand that much of it goes down the drain in waste. Being conscious of water consumption and taking action to reduce your usage is a great move towards a more eco-friendly existence. Including or switching over to low-flow toilets, faucets and showerheads can go a long way towards water conservation and saving money on your utility bills.

Solar Power


Investing in a solar power system for your home can have a huge impact on your footprint. You can collect power via panels that are routed to a bank of batteries, or, in many places, tie your system into the grid.

Solar panels can reduce the carbon emissions associated with powering a home by about 80%, compared with fossil fuels. Powering your home with solar has both financial and eco-friendly benefits. Not only can you save on your utility bills, but many homeowners that have solar installed also produce a surplus of energy that can be sold back to the grid.

Efficient Design


small house with steep roof - 8 green features to save your budget and the environment

Newly constructed homes are taking advantage of the most innovative designs to help create sustainable and efficient houses. Window placement, superior insulation, and creative airflow throughout a home can significantly reduce the need for expensive and non-sustainable heating and cooling.

Careful consideration of a home’s placement, sun protection, and cross ventilation sources can help passively heat and cool your home with less need for additional energy sources.

Premium Insulation


The heating and cooling process that keeps a home comfortable accounts for a large part of its energy consumption. When a home is constructed with green features like premium insulation it can drastically reduce the energy footprint of a home. When drafts and heat loss are eliminated, it takes less energy to keep a home comfortable.

Reflective Roofing


Traditional roofing is constructed with dark-colored shingles which absorb much of the sun’s heat. This additional heat results in the cooling system of a home working overtime to keep the interior comfortable. Modern homes are constructed with innovative shingling and roofing materials that work to reflect the heat of the sun reducing the overall energy burden on the home.

Energy Star Appliances


Along with low-flow water features, adding Energy Star Appliances can greatly reduce the overall carbon footprint of a home. Appliances require a lot of energy to run effectively, so reducing your appliance burden can help save you money and energy.

Refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers are all available in energy-efficient designs. These Energy Star machines use less water, lower heat and more efficient design to save on money and power usage.

Energy Efficient Lighting


Keeping the lights off is one way to save money, but it’s not the most effective way to live comfortably. Switching over to energy-efficient bulbs and lighting options can help homeowners save money and energy at the same time. LED bulbs come in many different shades, sizes and shapes and should be used in all lighting elements around a home for the most savings.

Smaller changes to your lifestyle, including installing green features such as eco-friendly appliances, LED lighting and greywater systems, can help you save money and the environment and increase the impact of your green lifestyle.

Feature image: Parker Coffman; Image 1: Filip Urban

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