Thursday, August 30, 2012

Green Homes - What Makes Your Home Green


Over the years gone by people have become more conscious of the impact they make on the environment. A lot of production companies and popular products are focusing their energy on creating environmentally friendly produce. It is no secret that the earth is taking a good pounding because of our reckless actions. Besides the shift in focus from the big corporates, so-called average citizens are now also taking the responsibility on themselves. People are changing their homes to green homes and we will be looking at what makes a home green.
Save where you can
This is the general trend with green homes. You have to look where you can save and cut back on the usage of thing like water and electricity. As a rule of thumb, most green homes - in order to be called green - save up to thirty percent when it comes to energy usage. We all know that this figure includes the use of hot water geezers and so forth.
Size and design
For a home to be considered green it needs to have minimal impact on the environment and make maximum use of what the environment offers without damaging it in return. Things like sunlight and wind is a source of energy that will never be exhausted, so a lot of research has gone into utilizing these elements. So when you think of a big home, you will agree that it will use more energy than a smaller one. You also want to consider the location of your home where it will have the smallest negative impact on the environment. It is better to build upwards instead of expanding on the ground. The design is also important in sense of strategically placing every window or panel to get the most sun for natural lighting and also heat. Solar panels are a very popular means of generating energy for things like hot water and lighting.
Materials and Technologies
Bio-degradable is the key here. Your house needs to be able to dissolve like a piece of toilet paper in the ocean when it is no longer of any use to anyone. Materials used should be renewable, reusable and recycled easily at all cost. Bamboo flooring and environmentally friendly paint are just two of the more popular materials that green home owners tend to go for. Using only native plant species will also reduce the use of water for your garden. It is also a good idea to explore different eco-friendly technologies for the interior as well as exterior of your home. These are all small thing that make a bid difference.
All of the above will also have a positive impact on the valuation your home receives and makes for an increase in the price of your house.
Waldo van den Berg has a keen interest in real estate and writes about what affects house prices and house valuation.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7240785

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