Learn the basic philosophy of green building, and how the three major components can come to life in your home.

There are three things that constitute the tenets of smart green home design – recycle, reuse, and reduce.  While often considered a mantra among those who want to save the planet, these ideas can also help you build a more earth friendly home for yourself and for your family.  To make sure your home is living up to the green ideas of the day here are ways to implement smart green home design in your home.

The idea of recycling can be addressed in a number of ways when considering smart green home designs.  First you will want to consider the materials you will use. Materials to use should either be made of recycled materials, or constructed from materials that diminish the amount of waste generated from them.  Finding plastics and metal pieces that have been recycled from old pieces will work just as well in your home’s construction as new pieces.  There are many materials now available that are constructed from post consumer waste. One example is glass bottles that are made into a countertop material. You will also want to make sure that you home has a recycling plan for your waste. You may want to create a specific area in your kitchen with bins for sorting recycling.

Starting to Use Smart Green Home Design

‘Reuse’ is another common way to make your home an example of smart green home design.  Materials are another way to make reuse a part of your remodeling plans. The wood that’s used for framing a new home or room addition can be reclaimed wood that has either been scrapped by other builders or that has come from other buildings that have been torn down.  You might also want to use materials and fixtures from demolished homes so that you’re not making anything new in the process.  You can also take items from your old home and bring them into the new home you are building to help diminish the energy used in the production of new items. Reusing as much as you can also helps you reduce the amount of waste you create from your project.

As for ‘reduce,’ using smart green home designs will help you to lessen the energy used day to day in your home.  While one of the best ways to reduce your energy use might be to install a solar energy system or another form of natural, renewable energy, this may not be the easiest option for most homeowners. Some easy ways to reduce your energy use, and your energy bill, is to switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs. These bulbs last much longer than tradition light bulbs, and use less energy to create light. Turning down your water heater can also reduce the amount of energy your home uses.

By considering these three concepts while planning projects large and small on your home, you can make sure that your home is using smart green home designs. Going green can have benefits for you, as well as the environment, so it’s always smart to consider what you can do to reduce, reuse and recycle.

Given the crunch on natural resources recently, and rising energy costs it makes sense that people have begun to look into energy alternatives more and more.  While the financial problems with gas for our cars is the most obvious issue, if you stop to think about it, everyday, home energy bills have been rising for several years now.  It seems we don’t have quite the renewable energy sources we thought we did.  In a mad dash to better protect the earth and save some valuable dollars many homeowners are thinking about having residential solar energy systems installed.  Take a look at some of the ways these systems can improve your life and put you ahead of the game in the energy race.

 Residential Solar Energy Systems

It’s an unfortunate state of affairs, but most of us have to think with our wallets whenever we do anything.  It would be really nice to just be able to do what is right.  With that said, installing one of the residential solar energy systems in your home will improve the state of your bank account.  Not only are these systems designed to generate power for your home to use free of charge, many states and the federal government are offering incentive packages and tax breaks to those homeowners who get with the program. 

At one time it was virtually impossible for the average person to be able to afford any of the residential solar energy systems.  With greater demand and better technology, the costs of these systems have thankfully come down.  You no longer have to go into extreme debt to be good to the earth and your energy bill.  The labor for installing the system is reasonable in most cases as well.  When you take the step to find your contractor, just make sure you ask him or her about previous experience with these systems.  Your new system might make the energy company sad, but they will be the only ones. 

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Lots of homeowners are making the decision to go green with either their new home plans or with remodels and additions to existing homes.  Considering the environmentally friendly building practices are getting so much attention nowadays, it’s pretty easy to find a contractor or builder who is well versed in this style of construction.  Eco-friendly floor plans and appliances that use fewer resources are just two ways people are finding to make their homes more earth friendly.  Before you start your next building project, take a look at a few ways you can save the planet and your wallet with lower utility bills. 

One of the most eco-friendly floor plans you are going to find anywhere involves open floor designs.  It is much simpler, takes less energy, and is cheaper to heat or cool one large room as opposed to three or four small ones.  The presence of a great room that includes the dining room, living room, and conveniently connects to the kitchen is ideal in keeping your home environmentally friendly. 

Eco-Friendly Floor Plans

If you live in a warmer climate, consider building to the north or south in order to avoid the majority of the intense heat from the sun.  You can also install sun screens and solar deflectors to limit your cooling needs.  On the other hand, those who have cold winters to deal with would benefit from building the home facing the sun’s path.  Using heat holding materials like concrete and stone is beneficial as well as these materials will radiate heat after the sun has set.

There are other important aspects to think about while you are working to create eco-friendly floor plans.  Having your builder use as many renewable building materials, as well as those that can be found locally is part of doing your share for a better environment.  Insulating the exterior walls and roof of the house is crucial to limiting the amount of energy you and your family will need to take care of your house.  If you are going for new appliances, make sure they are in compliance with the greener living standards.  These small steps are not only good for the planet; they will also save you money in the long run in terms of your monthly bills. 

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Even the most diligent homeowner doesn’t spend a great deal of time thinking about roofs.  As long as you do the general maintenance and have the shingles replaced by a professional when necessary, there really isn’t too much to think about.  The next time the need for a new roof comes up in your home, you do have a little more to think about.  In this day and age of environmental consciousness, you have an option in roofing that has been around for centuries and is currently enjoying resurgence in popularity.  Learn a little more about green roofs and decide if you think one would be the perfect fit for your home and lifestyle.

Roofing Contractors

Materials like metal and tile are considered to be fairly earth friendly, but a green roof takes things to a deeper level.  It’s likely you have seen restaurants or other places of business that have vegetation on the roofs.  They often use it as decoration, but this type of roof is not only attractive, it also promotes healthy plant based oxygen and certainly gives your home a unique look.  Thanks to a lot of work done in Europe with this ancient practice, this kind of roofing can be used anywhere in the U.S.  Let’s take a look at the layers of this kind of roof.

Closest to the roof itself, a waterproofing material is used.  If it doesn’t have a root resistant component, another layer with root resistant material will have to be added.  Obviously, it is essential for protecting the sub roof from potential damage due to the root system of the plants.  The next layer is the drainage layer.  A wide variety of materials can be used here.  Some people go with plastic or rubber to reduce weight, but it’s also acceptable to use clay or gravel as well.  Moving up the construction, you come to the soil layer.  Depending on your climate and the plants you are planning to use, this layer could consist of peat moss, regular soil, or potting mix.  Of course, your final layer is the plants themselves.  A qualified green roof contractor will be able to give you a good idea of which plants will work best in your situation.

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When you stop to consider that for many people, the biggest purchase they will ever make is their home, it makes sense that every aspect of it is a big deal.   Many people do decide to build from scratch and thus avoid the potential attic insulation dangers, but many others buy homes that were built decades ago before the real risks associated with certain types of insulation were known.  Concerns about attic insulation are no reason to not buy a preexisting home or to feel unsafe in the house you have.  All you need is to learn about common risks and figure out how you can protect yourself and your family.

The most well known threat when it comes to residential insulation is asbestos.  This material is made from several naturally found minerals that were mined for their insulation properties and used in homes from the 1930’s to the 1970’s.  If the material is disturbed and inhaled into the lungs it can cause lung cancer, a rare cancer of the chest, lungs, and abdomen, called mesothelioma, and asbestosis.  If you are pretty sure you have asbestos in your home, there is little risk if the insulation is in good condition.  If it’s not, you might want to look into the safe ways to have it replaced with a safer material.

Attic Insulation Dangers

Another of the attic insulation dangers you have to consider and check for is pink insulation.  Just about everyone knows what this stuff looks like.  Backed in paper, it looks like pink cotton candy.  At one time, it was thought to be the safest insulation material available.  With more in depth studies in the 1990’s, experts changed their minds and gave it a rating similar to the one for asbestos materials.  The formaldehyde ingredients found in pink insulation is the health risk.

Understanding the attic insulation dangers is important for the health of your family and the value of your home.  If you are concerned at all about your safety, have a professional come in for an evaluation of your home. 

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You can’t turn on the TV or radio, not to mention open a newspaper or magazine without seeing or hearing something about the environment.  It’s pretty clear society needs to really invest some time and effort in the reuse and recycle way of life.  Even with the concerns about green living and doing your part, it doesn’t mean you can’t have some of the things in life you want.  Let’s take your home for example.  If you are among the number of homeowners that would love to build to a sunroom, you can do so with little to no harm to the earth if you keep some green sunroom designs ideas in mind. 

There isn’t a building material sold that isn’t rated for energy efficiency and low environmental risk.  When you are planning your sunroom, look for the best materials to use.  You can find all kinds of information about these products online or by asking the knowledgeable home improvement store staff.  Include features like solar panels to reduce energy consumption and use materials that reproduce quickly like bamboo.  Not only are you doing your part for the earth, you are also ensuring that your sunroom will be built to last.

Green Sunroom Designs

It’s basic science that plants make oxygen while absorbing carbon dioxide.  You can continue to do your part for the earth with an emphasis on flowers and plants placed both inside and around the outside of your sunroom.  You could be even more self sufficient and use some of your sunroom containers for herbs or mini vegetable plants. They are all very pretty and the herbs have the added bonus of smelling fantastic as well.

If you put your mind to it, there is no doubt you can come up with all kinds of ways to include more green sunroom designs into your plans.  With the manufacturers of just about everything offering earth friendly options, you can’t help but do the right thing with your sunroom addition, especially when you consider as well that there are green contractors out there who can help you accomplish your dream goals. 

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