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When it comes time to move into your next home, it benefits you—and the environment—to incorporate sustainable features. Eco homes make use of renewable resources, reduce energy consumption, and conserve natural resources, including water. While fully converting a space to be more eco-friendly might seem out of reach (or out of pocket), sustainable design is a lot easier to pull off than you think. Appliances, building materials, heating systems, and a slew of other home components can all work toward achieving the goal of sustainability. Whether you’re buying a house and want to take note of the home’s ability to add green features or you’re building your own custom eco home, here are the features that experts suggest you consider for eco homes.
1. Passive design
Sustainable homes begin with a sustainable framework. If you’re working with a designer to build a brand-new home, it’s imperative to employ passive design, which reduces a house’s ecological footprint by using the local climate and landscape to its advantage. One way to do that is taking note of the orientation of the house in relation to the sun.
“Maximize south-facing windows in colder climates to increase direct sunlight in the winter. This will help heat your home and reduce your reliance on artificial light,” says Candace Rodriguez, senior director of sustainability at the Home Depot. “Plant a tree that loses its leaves in the winter on the south side of your house. It’ll block the sun from streaming into your home in the summer and allow light through in the winter.”
The shape and size of your roof can also constitute effective passive design. Adding a large overhang allows light into your home during wintertime because the sun is at a higher angle, says Rodriguez. In the summertime, the same overhang will block sunlight in the summer, keeping your home cooler.
2. Geothermal heat pumps
As part of a top-to-bottom renovation, consider installing a geothermal heating and cooling system to conserve energy. They work by tapping into stable temperatures a few feet below the earth’s surface to heat and cool a home.
“[Geothermal energy] relies on harnessing relatively even subterranean temperatures,” explains Leslie Schneeberger, an architect and owner of Schneeberger Collective, a sustainable firm based in Massachusetts. “The trenches to do this can be deep or lateral, depending on the amount of land you have to utilize.”
While digging and installing geothermal pumps cost more than a typical air-sourced system (anywhere from $15,000 to $50,000, according to home services site Angi), Schneeberger notes that they offer a significant return on investment (ROI). The savings on energy costs are often recouped within 5 or 10 years of installation, per the US Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy.
3. Recycled materials
Instead of shopping for new counters, cabinets, and shelving, turn to places like Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore or an architectural salvage shop for materials to reuse in your home. “You can retrofit pretty much any old piece of furniture into the space you need it for,” says Gabriela Narvaez, general contractor and founder of Guild Properties.
Recently, Narvaez has been sourcing antique console tables and armoires and retrofitting them for bathroom vanities. “I love doing this because not only will you have a totally unique piece in your new space but you’ll also be recycling and repurposing previously used materials into your home instead of buying a mass-produced product,” she says.
4. Energy-efficient windows
Insulated and laminated impact windows and doors do wonders for reducing a home’s overall energy consumption, explains Manny Angelo Varas, president and CEO of homebuilder MV Group USA. If you’re replacing windows in a home, take a closer look at triple-glazed windows, also known as triple-pane windows. “These have a much better insulation value, and with the right films, can cut down on not only solar heat gain but UV rays that can damage artwork, fabrics, and finishes,” says Schneeberger.
Rodriguez adds they’re well worth the investment. (Triple-glazed windows can cost anywhere from $400 to $3,540.) The lower the U-value—or the rate at which the window loses non-solar heat—the better the windows will keep heat in your home, she explains.
5. Solar panels
As a Green designee, realtor Cheneil Lowe sits on the Atlanta Realtors Association’s sustainability committee. She often works with clients to find the solar panels that work best for their home and energy bill budgets. “With solar panels, homeowners can significantly reduce their dependence on traditional electricity sources, leading to substantial savings on their electric bills over time,” Lowe says.
Over the course of 20 years, homeowners can save between $10,000 and $30,000 by putting solar panels on their roofs, says Rodriguez. She reasons money isn’t the only thing being saved, pointing to a UC Berkeley study that found a residential solar system can power a home with 80 percent lower carbon emissions than that of fossil fuels.
6. Eco-friendly appliances
Rob McGibney, president and COO of homebuilder KB Home, recommends looking for appliances that are Energy Star-certified and WaterSense labeled, two programs from the Environmental Protection Agency that set standards for energy efficiency and water conservation. “Think about water-conserving faucets and toilets, smart appliances that maximize energy and water performance, and other features that make living more sustainably even easier,” he says.
7. Formaldehyde-free cabinets
Many mass-produced cabinets contain formaldehyde in the glue that binds panels together. Springing for cabinets made without harmful chemicals can reduce indoor air pollution in your home. “Solid wood is always a formaldehyde-free option,” says Narvaez.
Companies that specialize in toxin-free cabinets include Puustelli Kitchens, Bertolini, KERF, PureKitchen, and more. Schneeberger recommends the Healthy Materials Lab at Parsons School of Design as a resource for finding sustainable materials and suppliers.
8. Programmable thermostats, lighting, and more
Smart technology can also help cut down on your home’s energy consumption. Lowe consistently recommends smart thermostat controls to her clients and new homeowners alike. “You’ll be able to adjust your temperature settings when you’re away, and some smart thermostats track your energy consumption so you stay on track,” adds Rodriguez.
Wifi-enabled lighting and shades can also help with regulating a home’s temperature and light exposure. “There are some amazing lighting systems such as Lutron’s Ketra system that adjusts lighting and shading throughout the day to match our natural circadian rhythms and perfectly balance with outdoor lighting conditions,” Schneeberger says. “This greatly contributes to occupant health and wellbeing as well as reducing energy use on excess or unneeded lighting.”
