Sustainability is a priority for today’s homeowners, leading to shifts in architecture and home design. If you want an eco-friendly home, what features should you look for? From Clearwater solar panels to multifunctional spaces, here are the top ideas.
Sustainable Architecture and Design
Modern home designs are more energy-efficient than they were even a few years ago. New regulations and materials have raised the standards, ensuring that new homes cost less to keep cool.
If you’re designing a house, there are endless ways to prioritize eco-friendliness. For instance, you can opt for bamboo hardwood floors over traditional ones. Bamboo is beautiful and hardy but grows much faster than oak, maple and other popular hardwoods. As a result, manufacturers can produce bamboo planks quickly without harming the environment.
What other decisions can you make to create a sustainable home? Designers recommend including multifunctional spaces and investing in smart appliances.
Multifunctional Spaces
Multifunctional spaces are rooms that serve more than one purpose. These areas allow you to get more from your residence.
Open-concept floor plans are especially good for multiple functions because the space is flexible. Strategically placed bookshelves and storage bins can turn a living room into a playroom, reading nook or even an office.
You can also make good use of that guest bedroom. Rather than leaving an entire room unoccupied, consider setting up a crafting room, art studio or home gym. Multifunctional furniture, such as convertible couches and hollow ottomans, can help you meet the needs of both spaces.
Smart Appliances
Smart appliances once only appeared in sci-fi novels; today, they’re common in homes. Smart appliances track certain information, allowing them to adjust their performance to achieve the highest energy efficiency. The following appliances are some of the most helpful in this regard:
- Refrigerators
- Thermostats
- Water heaters
Additionally, you can connect smart systems to a central hub, which you can access through your smartphone. You can then control every aspect of your home from anywhere with an internet connection.
Solar Power’s Ascendancy
If your new house doesn’t come with solar panels, you can add them to boost energy efficiency. A simple search for “solar installers near me” can help you find top-notch companies in your area.
Why is solar power so popular among sustainability-minded homeowners? For one thing, government programs can help you pay for systems. These programs decrease the overall cost, making solar panels more accessible. Additionally, lower upfront costs mean the system will pay for itself more quickly.
How do solar panels pay for themselves? They absorb ultraviolet radiation and turn it into electricity, allowing you to use less energy from the grid. Lower grid usage means a smaller energy bill. When you add up the savings, solar panels generally pay for themselves in five to 15 years.
Additionally, you can store solar-generated electricity for up to 24 hours if you have the right battery. Stored energy and a secondary source of electricity generation can be life-saving if you live in an area with an unreliable power grid.
If you want to increase your home’s sustainability, researching solar panels Florida is a great place to start. Even small changes can reduce your impact on the planet, which is good for everyone.