Design your way to a greener home

As with anything, the more initial planning you do the more time and money you'll save during the construction of the home. Here are a few ideas to consider when designing your new home

Go for a small home in lieu of a larger one. Create multipurpose spaces such as homework area/craft stations or an office that doubles as a guest room.

Build up not out. When building up, you minimize the size of the roof and the footings. Additionally, a multistory home also reduces the impact on the landscaping.

Consider an addition to your current home. Remodeling your home is a form of recycling. Before assuming you need to build something new, consider putting an addition on your home instead. Take the money you save and put it into more energy efficient systems and/ or components, such as insulation, solar panels, new windows, low flow toilets, etc.

Work with green professionals. Make sure to consult LEEDs certified contractors who are familiar with green building practices.

Make it easy to recycle. Provide adequate provisions for storing recyclables. Install bins in the kitchen or garage. Also, don't forget about composting, which is as easy as a bucket with a lid under the sink.

Design energy efficient building. Use high levels of insulation, high performance windows and tight construction.

Design with renewable energy in mind. Consider solar water heaters or solar panels on the roof.

One of my favorites is the use of gray water systems; I guess it's because of my husband's experience in the plumbing industry. You can save soapy water from bathing, the dishwashers and washing clothes and reuse it later for flushing toilets and lawn and garden irrigation.

Design water efficient, low maintenance landscaping. Use native and natural plants to minimize the maintenance.

Chris Faircloth, Realtor

Realty Executives

757-288-0983 Cell

AgentFaircloth@gmail.com

www.ChrisFaircloth.com

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