18 Mar How Our Homes Help the Earth
These days, almost everyone is talking about how to become more eco-friendly and how to help the Earth. From electric cars to recycling, there are plenty of ways to lessen your impact on the environment. But, according to the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, U.S. residential and commercial buildings account for nearly 29% of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. This means that buildings play a large role in climate change, from their initial construction to their day-to-day operations.
Here at Bella Homes, we understand that in order to help the Earth, we need to do our part as home builders to minimize our effect on the planet. All of our homes are certified green by the Florida Green Building Coalition., which means we utilize green building practices that reduce our effect on the environment and greatly minimize our homeowners’ carbon footprints. Some of our green building practices are:
Natural Materials
Sustainably sourced building materials make a huge difference in how much a building’s construction affects the environment. Materials like natural stone and reclaimed wood are more eco-friendly, as they require less modification before installation and there is less energy needed to produce them. Natural materials are often of higher quality and will last longer than other materials, so green homes require fewer repairs and renovations over time.
Effective Insulation and Low-E Windows
An effective way to reduce a home’s demand for energy and fuel is to implement proper insulation. Our green homes are insulated with open-cell spray foam, a more effective form of insulation than traditional fiberglass. The open-cell foam expands and contracts with the building over time, ensuring a long-term seal, reducing the amount of energy needed to heat and cool the home. Our green homes also incorporate low emissivity, or “Low-E,” windows that minimize the amount of heat that enters the home through sunlight, ideal for the Southern Florida climate where frequent air conditioning is required.
Energy-Efficient Appliances & Technology
Perhaps the most important element of any green building is its energy efficiency. Our green homes are equipped with appliances that draw less electricity, reducing the homeowners’ daily energy consumption significantly. Smart home technology also plays a role in keeping the home energy efficient, with advanced climate control technology and adaptive lighting. Our homes incorporate high SEER A/C units, programmable thermostats, and Control4Panels which allow less energy to be drawn over time and better control over your home.
Without a doubt, green homes play a large role in reducing our impact on the environment. From sustainable building methods to energy-efficient design, green homes help minimize the carbon footprint of builders and homeowners alike.
Bella Homes takes our impact on the environment very seriously, and that’s why our eco-luxury homes provide custom solutions for green living. Learn more about our methods here, and if you’re interested in working together to build your own eco-friendly custom home, get in touch today!