From Guest Blogger Lana Hawkins: Build Your Own Affordable, Eco-Friendly House

Are you thinking about building an eco-friendly home? Whether your primary concern is to reduce utility bills and save money in the future, or to preserve the environment, building an eco-friendly home might be just your thing. Here are some suggestions on how to make a cheap environmentally friendly home.

Use sustainable building materials

Each part of your green home should be made of recycled, reused or renewable materials. Use locally available natural materials such as earth, stone, straw, wood, or cork. Reuse old wooden floors, doors, and windows. Recycled materials such as recycled glass, plastic, aluminium, tile, or reclaimed lumber, are another option. Also, consider the most user-friendly and cost-effective building techniques. One example is earthbag building. It is cheap, since the main building material is earth, it is simple, and requires no special equipment. Poured earth floors and earth plastered walls are beautiful and long lasting, and require only tiny touch-ups occasionally.

Consider location and size

If you are buying a plot, opt for an area where natural disasters are a rare occurrence. Also, make sure that you can easily reach local grocery store, or your office on foot or by public transport. This will reduce your travel time, as well as CO₂ emission. When deciding the position of the house on the plot, avoid west facing houses, as your home will be cool most of the day due to a lack of sun exposure. Choosing a smaller house means smaller heating and cooling bills, and smaller impact on the environment. If you are not sure that you can design it on your own, consult professional residential builders, such as ACG building, who will help you match your new home to your tastes and needs.

Smart energy consumption

Solar and geothermal energy utilization requires more upfront investment, but will save you amazing amounts in the long run. If you are buying a new piece of equipment, look for an Energy Star label on it. These appliances generally use 20–30% less energy. Invest in proper insulation, as heating and cooling systems account for as much as 50% of your total energy consumption. Install an air tight HVAC system with a programmable thermostat to cut down costs. Instead of using incandescent bulbs, switch to LED and CFL. They cost more, but they also last longer and consume less energy. Even better, install skylights and reduce the total number of light fixtures you need.

Water conservation

Low flow faucets, energy-efficient washing machines and dishwashers, dual-flush toilets – these are just some of the ways to save up on your water consumption. Also, install a rainwater harvesting system to collect rainwater for toilet use, or for landscaping purposes. Your sprinkler system can be based solely on the utilization of rainwater. Consider environmentally friendly cleaning practices that discharge much less pollutants down the drain.

From repurposed shipping containers, to simple earthen houses, these low-cost housing solutions can fit everybody’s wallet and lifestyle.

How would you make your home eco-friendly?