Environmentalism has become far more than a passing fad in recent decades; it has become a way of life and a necessity in the modern world.
Homeowners and businesses from around the world are increasingly embracing the eco-friendly lifestyle in the hopes of contributing to the fight against climate change and driving down their living costs in the process.
And it’s working. Sustainable, eco-friendly home design has become one of the most sought-after features in recent years. With overwhelming evidence of their efficiency piling up, it’s time to look at some of the best green designs that will dominate 2018.
Water efficiency
Water efficiency has always been one of the forefronts of environmentalism, and the movement is always investing time and money in devising new ways to optimize water consumption in households.
With the growing scarcity of natural resources and fresh drinking water around the world, it’s imperative that every homeowner equips their home with water conservation features.
From water-saving faucets and showerheads to efficient kitchen amenities and fixtures, all the way to natural water collection and storage – you need it all. Not only will you bring down your water bill significantly, but you will also help preserve the environment to boot.
Energy conservation
When it comes to eco-friendly and sustainable designs, energy efficiency takes the proverbial cake. You can’t have a sustainable home without some form of energy conservation method in place. In fact, the more, the better.
Firstly, switching out the old, wretched incandescent lighting for its more luminous, efficient LED counterpart is a must. Not only do they consume far less energy, but they also shine brighter and can last for up to ten years.
Secondly, sustainable homes boast energy-efficient equipment and appliances across the board.
Remember, if you’re shopping for a house; always look for the Energy Star on the appliances.
Finally, proper insulation is also important. Insulation brings your energy consumptions and costs down by regulating the temperature inside the house, so you’ll waste less of the precious resource no matter the season.
Waste reduction
Speaking of wasting resources, insulation is not the only way to optimize your energy consumption. During the scorching summer months, hundreds of dollars are spent on air conditioning and cooling down the interior of your home that constantly seems to be heating up no matter what.
The problem is not the weather, or the insulation, the problem lies in your roof. That’s why 2018 homes will increasingly boast innovative roof-cooling solutions such as the whirlybird vent installation; solutions that aim to naturally cool down your house by not letting the heat travel downwards from the roof. Plus, they use kinetic energy, so they are free to run.
Reclaimed materials
Why buy everything new when you can save a piece of furniture from its seemingly inevitable landfill destiny? Not only do reclaimed materials bring a beautiful rustic vibe to your home that is most soothing and allows positive energy to flow, but it also helps in the conservation of natural materials.
And forests are growing ever scarcer, you know. So in 2018, look for homes boasting plenty of reclaimed materials such as desks, flooring, nightstands, tables, chairs, frames, and everything in between!
Daylight harvesting
Finally, an increasingly popular feature in modern homes and something that will also reign supreme in 2018 is daylight harvesting.
With an ever-greater number of the world’s population migrating to cities, and other urban areas, humans are becoming increasingly confined to their homes, choosing to spend time in front of a screen, thus missing out on precious sunlight.
To battle this problem and provide you with plenty of healthy sunshine, modern homes will have automated skylights, windows, and blinds. These will help you optimize your daily sun exposure without having to bring your laptop’s extension cord outside. It’s a win-win!
Sustainability and eco-friendly practices are becoming the norm in the modern world inhabited by more mindful individuals than ever before. Collectively working together to help preserve our Earth is the only way to ensure a bright and positive future.
This article originally appeared on www.luvmihome.com and is being reprinted with permission. From time to time, Water – Use It Wisely features guest bloggers who write about topics related to water and water conservation. The author of this post, Grace, is a blogger, wife, and mom and creating a beautiful home is her passion. Luvmihome is a home review site that features articles on such topics as home decorating, garden and landscape ideas, home improvement tips, and product recommendations. They believe your home is your castle, so why not purchase the best products available.