There’s been a recent surge in the popularity of eco-friendly houses. But what are they, and why should you care? An eco-friendly house is designed to make less of an impact on the environment. 

This is done through conservation measures, such as using energy-efficient appliances and installing solar panels. It’s also done by using materials that are environmentally friendly, such as bamboo flooring.

 Here are some of the ways to create eco-friendly houses.

Reduce Energy Usage

The average American family spends over $850 a year on their energy bill! But there are simple things you can do to minimize that. For instance, making sure to turn off lights when you leave a room and always unplugging electronics helps a lot.

It’s also important to keep your water heater at a reasonable temperature and to turn off your oven or stovetop after you finish cooking. You should hang dry clothes instead of using an electric or gas-powered drying machine whenever possible. Plus, consider switching out your light bulbs for Energy Star-rated ones.

There are other things you can do to save energy in your kitchen. Only run the dishwasher when it’s full and properly insulating exposed hot water pipes. 

If your home is older than 1978, consider having a qualified contractor inspect your appliances to make sure that they are compatible with any Energy Star ratings.

Properly Seal Doors and Windows

You’ll also want to make sure your windows and doors are properly sealed and insulated. This is essential because it not only saves you money and energy, but it will keep your house more comfortable as well! 

Improving the insulation in your home’s walls, floors, ceilings, crawl spaces, attics, and foundations leads to a 10-15 degree reduction in your heating and cooling bills.

Improve Paint and Flooring Choices

You should also make an effort to choose paint and flooring that is low-VOC (volatile organic compounds). VOC’s are chemicals that offgas, or release into the air of a house. 

You’ll want to use products with as low of VOC’s as possible to reduce the risk of off-gassing in your house.

Install Solar Panels

If you’re looking to live more sustainably, then why not install solar panels on your house? A typical 3 kW installation can cost about $25,000, but it can reduce your annual electricity costs by around $1,500. Once the system has paid for itself, you’ll be able to save even more money!

If you’re in the Cincinnati area, follow the link to find solar near you.

Going Green: Building Eco-Friendly Houses

If you’re looking for a way to reduce your carbon footprint and live in an environmentally friendly home, consider building an eco-friendly house. There are many benefits to doing so, including reducing your energy costs and helping the environment. 

We hope this content was helpful in giving you an idea of what it takes to build eco-friendly houses.