Are sustainable homes worth it?

Behind sustainable homes are finer details and precise processes

Now that sustainability is one of the priorities for everyone. faithie/Shutterstock

Sustainable homes have become the next step to a sustainable global economy, making a name for itself as one of the lowest effort methods of going green. This is something that is made possible by the incorporation of carbon negative and energy positive factors into construction, as indicated by the Financial Times.

The UN Environment programme noted that 37 percent of global carbon emissions in 2021 came from buildings, both in construction and its daily running. Therefore, with homes being sustainable and utilising carbon negative and energy positive measures of construction and maintenance, their contribution to global carbon emissions can be greatly lessened.

Now that sustainability is one of the priorities for everyone in an effort to preserve environmental stability, sustainable homes have been growing in popularity. According to Lend Smart Mortgage, LLC, these homes do not just benefit the environment, but they benefit their owners and dwellers as well.

More: Bamboo, a viable construction material for a sustainable future

Sustainable homes bring a more improved sense of comfort no matter what weather or season it is due to its ability to more efficiently insulate a building. Reducing their impact on the environment also allows for better indoor air quality, filtering out toxic chemicals. They also encourage a simpler lifestyle that focuses on living rather than material belongings. These all add up to making the sustainable homes a better long-term investment, especially since they are more durable.

In order to achieve these benefits, there are different attributes that should be included in construction, as listed by sustainable living magazine Ethos

  • Renewable energy 
    • This should be incorporated as electricity is one of the main components of living in a home. Shifting to a more renewable form of energy both achieves sustainability and maintains a power source. 
  • Sustainable Insulation
    • Making a home work for the environment while providing comfort for its residence is important, especially when the seasons shift. This is where insulation comes in. Not only does it lower your energy bills, but it also regulates the heating and cooling of the home.
  • Construction Materials
    • Starting from scratch uses many materials that may harm the environment, so it would be best to get materials that are recycled, reclaimed, or Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified in the case of wood.
  • Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification
    • Being LEED certified means the home earned a certain series of points from the different measures it used to be more sustainable. It is not required, but it both adds certainty to a home’s sustainability and increases its value.

The Property Report editors wrote this article. For more information, email: [email protected].

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