The ever-changing climate affects us. Thus, it is natural for us to be more environmentally aware and active. More so, when you’re investing in your property, you should focus your home’s interior and exterior from an emission-producing powerhouse into an environment-friendly structure. All of your interior and exterior design ideas can be turned into an environment-friendly piece.

Being aware of energy-saving methods can help you determine what are the best alternatives suitable for your home. We round up the top ten methods you can implement to achieve your green home endeavors.

1. Choose the location right

Basically, if your house will be constructed facing west, it will be warmer inside. You should also avoid buying a property in locations prone to earthquake or situated near a fault line, or tsunami-prone areas.  

Aside from your property location’s natural features, it is also important to check available public transportation so you can reduce travel time and limit using your car. 

2. Plan the home’s size

If you’re serious about shifting to an environment-friendly home, going for a smaller house is a brilliant idea. Gone are the days when you have to have an enormous house. As a matter of fact, big houses consume more heat and produce more toxins in the environment.

Therefore, if you have a small to medium family, you can opt for a smaller home enough to house all the members comfortably.

3. Invest in energy-saving equipment

At the onset, it may seem like an expensive choice to choose environment-friendly equipment. However, in the long run, you’ll see that the investment you made is cost-effective.

4. Choose sustainable building materials

If building a green home is your ultimate goal, using eco-friendly products should be on top of your list. It will definitely help reduce the negative impact of construction on the environment. Each and every part of your home, whether interior or exterior, should be environmentally friendly. Use products such as reclaimed lumber, recycled plastic, recycled glass or natural products such as bamboo, cork, and linoleum which are made of natural, renewable materials.

5. Utilize solar panels

Solar energy is one of the cleanest and most renewable sources of energy. That's one of the main reasons why using solar energy as a source became popular in the past few decades. Up until now, solar-powered devices such as solar panels are still popular for homeowners because it is cost-effective and energy-efficient. Moreover, the number one source of solar energy is readily available to everyone.

6. Use rainwater harvesting systems and tankless water heaters

If you are aiming to save or lessen your water consumption, install a rainwater harvesting system while building your house to collect rainwater from roofs and then storing it in a tank is the best option.

Shifting from conventional to eco-friendly home is not a simple task. It can be daunting and expensive. However, if you focus on the long-term benefits of the environmental shift, you’ll realize the value of your investment and how much you saved.