Energy costs and depleted supplies force us to consider alternatives to how we lived 20 and 30 years ago. This transformation of thinking is most prevalent in our homes. Not only are the habits of our lifestyles under consideration, but the very structure of our homes as well. From materials to furnishings, houses are being transformed.
Remodel versus New Construction
The amount of open land available for development is less than before, so creativity is being utilized to design more compact developments, concentrating homes into multi-family structures and creating communities with shared spaces.If you need more square footage for a growing family, staying put by increasing the footprint or adding a second story is viewed as more green than starting fresh on a new plot of ground. In either case, careful consideration to the materials and heating systems used can have a significant impact on the environment.
Changing Habits and Habitats
From acoutrements to the house design itself, each decision to change an appliance or upgrade the finishes has greener impacts, no matter the choice of color. Something so simple as converting light bulbs from incandescent to longer-lasting and more efficient compact florescents (the twisty tube ones) is becoming required in many communities and saves serious dollars in utility costs.Hot water heaters can be combined with the boiler to share the energy. More energy efficient glass can bring in more solar heat and light and hold it there longer. Bamboo flooring only takes five years to grow, but can last 60, allowing our supply of trees to replenish. Getting an energy efficient air conditioner can lower you energy bills during the summer.
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