osted on December 28, 2018

Benefits of Having an Eco-Friendly Home

Investing in an eco-friendly home is definitely trending right now, and most people tend to agree that it’s a positive development. But beyond the assumption that it’s expensive (not necessarily!) and that it’s good for the environment (definitely true!), most people don’t really know much more.

I’m here to tell you that there are numerous benefits to owning an eco-friendly home, from the obvious ‘duh!’ ones you’re probably already aware of, to others that don’t always get the fanfare they deserve.

Increased Efficiency (= Lower Bills)

One of the most obvious benefits of the eco-friendly home is its increased efficiency. This is achieved by a combination of generating its own energy and water resources, while also reducing wastage. Doing this has a significant and measurable effect, with recent studies showing that American homes with LEED certification consume 11% less water and 25% less energy.

Energy

The goal of the ultimate eco-friendly home is to become entirely self-sufficient for its energy usage. This can be done by implementing some of the following solutions:

• Solar panels. The installation of solar panels will save you money. The exact amount depends on various factors, but you can be sure that your energy bills will feel a lot lighter.
• Improved insulation. Better insulation leads to wasting less energy to warm your home. Lower bills, more comfortable temperature all day long. It’s a win-win.
• Low-wattage bulbs. These are not only becoming the norm in many countries, but some don’t even accept anything else. The US Department of Energy estimates that LED bulbs will lead to the approximate saving of $265 billion over the next two decades.
• Energy Star appliances. Buying Energy Star appliances can shave up to $80 per year off your bills. Small, yes, but not insignificant.

Water

Eco-friendly homes use water more efficiently by, for example, using rainwater and purification systems. Conserving water around the house isn’t always about fancy solutions, either. Simple fixes can lead to significant reductions in water waste. For example, install a trigger nozzle on your hose, turn the tap off while brushing your teeth, and check for leaks around the house.

Low Maintenance Cost

Eco-friendly homes are incredibly easy to maintain. This is because every effort is made to ensure that the materials used are sustainable and long-lasting. Green materials are admittedly more expensive, but they’re also more durable and made of higher quality products.

Increase Your Property’s Value

The demand for eco-friendly homes is soaring, the effect of which we’re starting to see on the property market. For example, according to a recent study conducted in California, homes with a “green” label, commanded a price 9% higher than those without (all else being equal). With the addition of solar panels, you’re looking at a potential upswing of even more.

In short, even looking at it from a purely financial perspective, investing in an eco-friendly home just makes sense. You’re not only cutting into your monthly bills, but you’re also adding value to your biggest asset, your home.

Improved Living Standards

It’s not always all about the money. Having an eco-friendly home saves you a bunch of it in the long-term, true, but perhaps, more importantly, there’s evidence that it leads to social benefits as well. For example:

• Natural lighting. There is evidence that increasing your intake of natural light leads to improved sleep and upped vitality.
• Improved air quality. For example, by choosing eco-friendly paints that contain low VOC (volatile organic compounds). In addition, building a home that ventilates well also leads to improved air quality and efficiency.

Doing Your Bit for the Environment

The environment is now at the forefront of the news, with the effects of climate change now increasingly visible. People are starting to realize that we may be running out of time if we want to save our planet. And so far we’ve just covered how having an eco-friendly helps you. Your bills, your health, your property value.

But it’s not all about you.

Investing in an eco-friendly home will also significantly lower your carbon footprint, which is absolutely necessary for the environment. Residential consumption accounts for 11% of emissions, which means if we all do our part we can have a real effect here