• Home
  • Energy
  • Sustainability
  • Climate Change
    • Eco Editorial
  • Environment
    • Environmental Issues
      • Environmental Pollution
      • Global Warming
      • Population Explosion
      • Renewable Energy
      • Species Extinction
      • Sustainable Management of Resources
    • Animals
    • Pollution
    • Environmental Policy
  • Green Technology
    • Green Tips
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Energy
  • Sustainability
  • Climate Change
    • Eco Editorial
  • Environment
    • Environmental Issues
      • Environmental Pollution
      • Global Warming
      • Population Explosion
      • Renewable Energy
      • Species Extinction
      • Sustainable Management of Resources
    • Animals
    • Pollution
    • Environmental Policy
  • Green Technology
    • Green Tips
  • Contact Us
The Undeniable Value of Eco-Conscious Homes — How Homeowners and Developers Can Make a Difference
October 6, 2022

Eco-Conscious Homes

Nine in ten homeowners made eco-friendly home improvements last year, according to one survey from the home services platform Angi. Some of the most popular ecological improvements included the installation of smart thermostats and Energy Star appliances, proving that making a change can be achieved in small ways. However, for homeowners seeking additional ways to improve their home — or even build eco-friendly housing right from the start — there are a variety of options to keep in mind.

The need for eco-friendly housing

Before jumping into a new project that will make your home more environmentally friendly, first understanding the need for eco-friendly housing is essential. McKinsey.com, for instance, notes that real estate “is central to global climate change mitigation efforts,” going on to mention that “Real estate drives approximately 39 percent of total global emissions.” With approximately 11% of these emissions generated by the manufacturing materials that are used in buildings, McKinsey explains that the rest is emitted from the buildings themselves (and by generating the energy that powers them).

Building an eco-home from the start

While upgrading household appliances can be a great way to conserve energy, building a home in a way that is kind to the environment is a possibility as well. Using environmentally friendly building materials, such as bamboo or reclaimed wood is just one way to do this, though other materials that aren’t commonly thought of can present fantastic ideas, too. One article from The Christian Science Monitor notes that examples of this can be seen throughout the world — citing “green roofs” made of earth and plants in Basel, Switzerland, and a Burkinabé architect Francis Kéré, who is designing with Indegenous bricks in Dakar, Senegal.

Developers can further ensure a property’s devotion to the environment by designing a home that puts the surrounding environment first. One 2016 Daily Mail article highlights a particularly unique example of this, in which a house was to be built around two trees rather than chopping them down. APS Design Associates were tasked with coming up with the design for the challenge, and it was decided to include the trees in a way that they could be preserved. “We then looked at designing a building to wrap around the trees, which would protect them and also allow for continuing growth and maintenance,” noted Paul Seager, director of the architects. The property, located in Thundersley, Essex, also includes solar panels, a garden roof (that drains itself), and an air exchange system.

Cultivating an environmentally friendly interior

In addition to efforts that include installing energy efficient appliances, homeowners can work to create an eco-friendly home by making changes to the interior of the house itself. Installing sustainable flooring is just one option, according to House Beautiful, which can be done through the use of reclaimed wood that would have otherwise gone to a landfill. House Beautiful further mentions the benefit of other interior alterations, such as using proper insulation, and the use of eco-friendly paint or wallpaper. And, for those who aren’t looking to build a home, bringing nature into an existing house can be done in other ways. Incorporating indoor trees is a great way to do this, and will aid in putting nature and the environment at the forefront of your home’s interior. Having indoor plants may bring a number of benefits to the table, including the ability to potentially lower stress levels and boost motivation. When looking for the perfect indoor tree for your home, considering where you’ll place it can help — for example, if you need a tree for a sunny corner in your living room, choosing a plant that will thrive in such an environment is essential.

Due to climate change and the impact that real estate has on the environment, creating a home that makes the environment a priority is a great way to make a change. Whether you choose to build an eco-friendly home from the ground up or make a variety of eco-conscious changes to the interior of an existing home, there are multiple ways that you can make a difference.

Share

Sustainability

John Tarantino
My name is John Tarantino … and no, I am not related to Quinton Tarantino the movie director. I love writing about the environment, traveling, and capturing the world with my Lens as an amateur photographer.

  • Recent Posts

    • The Environmental Impact Of Biomedical Waste And How To Reduce It
    • What Are the Most Eco-Friendly Types of Water Filters?
    • The Top 7 Eco-Friendly Kitchen Cabinet Picks For 2023
    • How To Sustain A Carbon-Neutral Lifestyle
    • Sustainable Fishing Methods to Fish More Responsibly
  • Categories

    • Animals
    • Climate Change
    • Eco Editorial
    • Energy
    • Environment
    • Environmental Policy
    • Green Food
    • Green Technology
    • Green Tips
    • Green Travel
    • Infographics
    • Other Stories
    • Pollution
    • Recycle
    • Sustainability
    • Toxics
    • Uncategorized
  • Archives

    • March 2023
    • February 2023
    • January 2023
    • December 2022
    • November 2022
    • October 2022
    • September 2022
    • August 2022
    • July 2022
    • June 2022
    • May 2022
    • April 2022
    • March 2022
    • February 2022
    • January 2022
    • December 2021
    • November 2021
    • October 2021
    • September 2021
    • August 2021
    • July 2021
    • June 2021
    • May 2021
    • April 2021
    • March 2021
    • February 2021
    • January 2021
    • December 2020
    • November 2020
    • October 2020
    • September 2020
    • August 2020
    • July 2020
    • June 2020
    • May 2020
    • April 2020
    • March 2020
    • February 2020
    • January 2020
    • December 2019
    • November 2019
    • October 2019
    • September 2019
    • August 2019
    • July 2019
    • June 2019
    • May 2019
    • April 2019
    • March 2019
    • February 2019
    • January 2019
    • December 2018
    • November 2018
    • October 2018
    • September 2018
    • August 2018
    • July 2018
    • June 2018
    • May 2018
    • April 2018
    • March 2018
    • February 2018
    • January 2018
    • December 2017
    • November 2017
    • October 2017
    • September 2017
    • August 2017
    • July 2017
    • June 2017
    • May 2017
    • April 2017
    • March 2017
    • February 2017
    • January 2017
    • December 2016
    • November 2016
    • October 2016
    • September 2016
    • August 2016
    • July 2016
    • June 2016
    • May 2014
    • March 2014
    • February 2014
    • January 2014
    • December 2013
    • November 2013
    • October 2013
    • September 2013
    • August 2013
    • July 2013
    • June 2013
    • May 2011



Home | About | Advertise With Us | Bike The Netherlands | Current Environmental Issues | Eco Editorial | Contact