When you hear the term “green home,” does a green-colored house come to mind? Or perhaps, a house out in the bush with lots of greenery in the yard? For some it does, but that’s not what it means. A green home is an eco-friendly house. That’s a house constructed to save energy and water, as well as recycle anything that can be recycled. 

Why you should buy or build a green home

– It’s the future!

Ecological homes are in vogue. Many governments are adopting policies that favor preserving the environment and including them in their laws on house construction.

Home builders are also more aware of climate change as well. So more and more green homes are coming up with the old ways of house construction being left behind.

– It’s great for your wallet

Apart from caring for the environment, building or buying a green home makes financial sense because it has greater value than that of regular houses.

Ecological houses run on energy-efficient appliances and are built to save electricity in every way possible, which translates to lots of savings for the homeowners in the long run.

Building a green home also includes the use of recycled material which often costs less, and in that way, more money is saved.  For example, you can use recycled material to fence the home or build long-lasting furniture. Green homes save the environment by cutting down on waste.

– The benefits extend to your garden

Eco-homes incorporate green landscaping in their design.  Green landscaping is where you plant flora in your garden that will help you save money, energy, and time. These plants should also reduce waste and pollution in your home.

A great way to incorporate green landscaping into your home is by growing plants that are native to your area. Native plants take less water, energy, and time to maintain and will flourish, adding to the beauty of your home. The trick is to avoid invasive native plants that will choke out other plants and destroy the greenery of the area.

You can also use plants to shade your home and cut down on house cooling costs. Just plant deciduous trees on the side of the home that gets the most sun. In places that do not get a lot of water, planting drought-resistant plants is another great way to cut down on water use.

Turn your home into a green home

For people that already own a home, you don’t have to sell or move to go green, you can renovate your house and turn it into an energy-saving home. It’s a gradual process that will upgrade your home, add its value, as well as allow you to do your part to preserve the environment.

Ways you can make your house ecologically friendly

–  Turn to energy-efficient appliances

Many old appliances, such as clothes dryers, washers and fridges, consume a lot of power and are not environmentally-friendly. So, start by replacing all older appliances in your house with modern appliances that are energy star certified. 

There are other benefits to these. For example, some states or localities give rebates for recycling and buying energy-efficient appliances.

A simple move like replacing your incandescent bulbs with energy-saving LED  bulbs does not take much.

You can also save energy by insulating your home. That will ensure no heat is lost from the house cutting down on heating costs. A home building expert can help you insulate your home by using foam spraying insulation or installing energy-efficient windows.

– Shift to water-efficient home appliances

You can also purchase appliances that cut down on water use. For example, some washing machines are made to use less water.

Installing a water recycling plant in your plumbing can ensure no water is wasted from the home and any recycled water can be used to irrigate your garden

–  Use ecological fuel source

It’s also time to move from fossil fuel energy to green energy. That means shifting to fuel sources that do not destroy the earth when being produced and also do not release harmful emissions into the environment. Here, there are many options but one that stands out is solar energy.

The sun is always there, and it’s a great source of free energy. Solar panels can help heat your water and your home and even offer an extra option for electricity. If you generate surplus electricity from your solar panels, you can also sell it to power companies in some areas.

The bottom line

When all is said and done, the issue of climate change can no longer be ignored. Investing in a green home now will save you from spending more than you should on one in the future. If you already own a house, it’s a good idea to start turning to green solutions and appliances. At the very least, it will add value to your home, and at best, you will be doing your part to preserve the environment.