Are you someone who dreams of living away from everything and everyone and being independent in your little haven? As many as 250,000 Americans currently live off the grid and the number continues to climb. With the rising cost of living, sustainable homes are on many people’s bucket lists.
However, creating a sustainable home takes time, patience, and energy. It can be a labor of love that requires knowledge and planning. So, if you’re thinking about a future in a different kind of home, take a look at these ideas for sustainable home designs.
Natural Light
If you’re building a home from scratch, one of the most important aspects to consider when it comes to sustainability is natural light. Not only is natural light vital for your health when you’re spending time at home but it can also help to heat your home. Think about the orientation of your home and put as many south-facing windows in your home as you can.
If you already live in a home that has most of the windows facing west, you could consider planting a tree in front of them so you don’t get too much heat indoors during the summer months.
Septic Tank
If you’re planning on building your property to become more sustainable, you’ll still need to consider waste and sanitation. Using a septic tank is an ideal way to process biological decomposition. Although a septic tank does exactly what it says on the tin, tanks still need to be serviced to work well.
It’s important to research ‘septic tank service near me’ to keep up with regular maintenance that will ensure you don’t run into any unwanted problems.
Solar Panels
Even independent homes need the energy to keep things running, especially during the winter. You may still want to use electricity to wash clothes, turn lights on, or use heating when it’s cold. Solar panels are an excellent compromise in this situation.
This self-sufficient energy is stored and used instead of relying on energy companies to provide what you need. Although solar panels can be costly to buy and install, they do tend to pay for themselves after twenty years. If you intend to stay in your sustainable home for the foreseeable future or even pass the property on to future generations, solar panels are more of an investment than a purchase.
Natural Materials
There are tons of natural sources you can use to build your home. From wood cut offs to local stone quarries, recycled glass, or reclaimed bricks, the list is endless. Try and use as many natural or recycled materials as you can.
Not only is this better for the environment but it will also keep your costs down.
Sustainable Home Designs 101
The best thing you can do when looking for sustainable home designs is to look at the homes that are already self-sufficient. There are many great examples throughout the world but you have to decide what will work for you in the long run.
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