Showing posts with label Building a green home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Building a green home. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

How Do Sustainable Green Homes Affect the Environment?

Sustainable green homesResponsible homeowners in today’s world need to understand that even the smallest lifestyle decisions can have major effects on the world around them. The environment has been particularly ravaged through the years due to unsafe and unregulated practices regarding trash and waste disposal. The energy we consume is also causing an irreparable dent in the planet’s natural resources, and eventually there will be nothing left. We, therefore, have to do what we can to protect the environment, and sustainable green homes might just be the answer.


Green homes are specialty constructions that are built to have a negligible impact on the environment. This sustainable housing boasts many eco-friendly elements, and if you have additional questions reach out to a custom energy efficient home building company in Scottsdale, but until then consider these benefits.


Green Homes Reduce Water Wasting


Especially if you live in a dry state such as Arizona, green homes are particularly beneficial in reducing the amount of water waste your home produces. This can be done a number of ways, though these three options are among the most common if you are trying to conserve water:


  • EnergyStar Appliances: Incorporating EnergyStar appliances in your home is a great way to limit the amount of water that gets wasted. From dishwashers to clothes washers and everything in between, these eco-friendly appliances can turn a guzzler green overnight.

  • Efficient Plumbing Systems: Green homes are especially known for their efficient plumbing systems, which can reduce the amount of water that goes into something as simple as a toilet flush.

  • Landscape Watering: Instead of drowning your landscape to get rid of disease and weeds, green homes can utilize efficient irrigation systems to minimize runoff and overspray.

Green Homes Help Protect the Surrounding Ecosystem


Green homes are usually constructed to help a given homeowner reduce energy waste, but green homes are even more important to the surrounding ecosystem. With green homes, you do not have to worry about dangerous pollutants or non-biodegradable waste being produced by the home itself.


Moreover, some green homes are naturally resistant to pests based on construction style and the materials involved. In other words, instead of pumping harmful chemicals in and around the home, let the building take care of itself.


Green Homes Improve Air & Water Quality


By looking at your personal carbon footprint calculation, you might be shocked at just how much negative impact you are having on the environment, though you may quickly find that unclean and inefficient utilities have just as much of a negative impact on you. Fortunately, green homes can help alleviate these issues by improving your home’s air and water quality.


This can be done a number of ways based on the specifications of your project, but usually, green homes are outfitted with special tools to remove harmful chemicals or other organic compounds and organisms from the available water and air supply. Most green homes are specially designed to eliminate leading carcinogens, such as radon gas, from our homes.


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Contact the Net-Zero Energy home building experts at Peak One Builders & Restoration to learn more about creating a custom cutting-edge green home. Request a free estimate or call 480-378-0611 now!

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How Do Sustainable Green Homes Affect the Environment?

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Are There Net-Zero Energy Building Restrictions in Arizona?

Net-Zero Energy Building RestrictionsBuilding a green home is one of the best investments you could make as an environmentally conscious homeowner. Built to produce roughly as much energy as they consume, net-zero energy homes can drastically cut down on the high per capita energy consumption in the US. However, not just anyone can decide to build a net-zero home. Certain conditions and regulations must be met to break ground on a new green construction, and if you are not working with the right builders, you may quickly run afoul of some common net-zero energy building restrictions.


Before starting to build a new green home, you should keep the following points in mind to guide you. You should specifically do your best to satisfy each of these requirements well before you break ground on the project. Additionally, Arizona residents with further questions might want to get in touch with green home building contractors in Phoenix for more information.


Does the Land Need Rezoning?


Maintaining proper zoning is crucial to urban development. As cities expand out into the countryside, and population density continues to skyrocket, zoning helps local governments keep order over the land as well as effectively plan future developments. As a result, changing how a given plot of land is zoned is not always the easiest task.


Usually, this means contacting a local government developer’s office and filling out a lot of local, legal paperwork that you will probably have a hard enough time understanding. You might even need to pay certain fees. Then you have to wait to hear if the rezoning actually got approved. Of course, by not following this protocol, your green home could be shut down before you even turn on the lights, so be mindful of the land.


Are You Using Certified Net-Zero Builders?


Net-zero homes are great investments with plenty of associated benefits, though not just anyone can handle net-zero home constructions. Put simply, if you are not using a certified builder, you will likely get duped. The problem here is that many construction companies will claim to specialize in green homes when in fact they just happen to use recycled materials or can recommend efficient appliances.


Real certified builders come with official credentials and the work to back them up. Never be too shy to ask a home builder to see their certifications. If anything, this means that you are serious and committed to the project. The alternative is an overpriced home that accomplishes none of the eco-friendly tasks you set out for.


Do You Have the Required Building Permits?


Much like with zoning, obtaining the necessary permits actually to start construction on a new green home can be a downright chore. In addition to visiting some regional office and filling out page after page of illegible and incomprehensible paperwork, you will likely have to pay some fees and wait for what seems an eternity before hearing back on whether or not your permits were actually approved. Permits are then usually only issued after government inspectors have carefully reviewed your building plans to see that they are up to local code.


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Contact the Net-Zero Energy home building experts at Peak One Builders & Restoration to learn more about creating a custom cutting-edge green home. Request a free estimate or call 480-378-0611 now!

Read related articles:



Are There Net-Zero Energy Building Restrictions in Arizona?