As you are finalizing the design plans for your new home that is to be built, it is important to be sure that you have been as thorough as possible. Otherwise, you may find that your home may not be as environmentally friendly as possible. By being aware of some basic tips, you can help balance the need for having a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing home with minimizing the impact that constructing the home will have on the local environment.

Incorporate Recycled And Reclaimed Materials

It is often assumed that you will have to use new materials when building your home. However, some important advantages can be enjoyed by opting for recycled or reclaimed materials. For example, using reclaimed stone for the backsplash in the kitchen can provide the house with a unique feel while minimizing the amount of raw materials that must be harvested. Furthermore, some communities will give tax incentives to homebuilders that use recycled or reclaimed materials.

Choose A Design That Utilizes Ample Natural Light

Reducing the overall energy consumption of the house should be another important goal. This can help to reduce the amount of pollution that the home generates while also reducing the monthly energy bills. The lights in the home can be one of the largest sources of energy usage for the structure. By using a design that incorporates large amounts of natural lighting, you can greatly reduce the total amount of power that is needed to light the house without reducing the comfort of being inside the home. To avoid this light causing the interior to become uncomfortably warm, you can use dual paned insulated windows as these will prevent much fo the sun's heat from making it into the home.

Insulate The Attached Garage

Having an attached garage can be a very useful feature of the property. Unfortunately, the garage can be a major source of energy loss if it is not properly insulated. While it is possible to add more insulation to a garage that has already been built, this will be more expensive than simply including it at the time of the construction. For this reason, it can be wise to inform the designer and construction contractor to ensure that this part of the home is thoroughly insulated. This will include the walls, ceiling and garage door. Individuals will often overlook the garage door, but this can be one of the largest contributors to this energy loss.

For more information on how to build a home, contact your local real estate group.