Builiding A House Checklist (Sustainability Features)

Chad Hanson

As the Managing General Partner at Sustainable 9 Design + Build, Chad is responsible for establishing the vision and strategy for our clients. What helps separate Chad from other visionaries in the home building sector is his ability to create a unique customer service experience that is both highly personalized and encourages collaboration. Chad’s experience and expertise in the field makes him a pleasure to work with and an all-around expert in Minnesota Modern.

When it comes to building a sustainable home, there are four common features that you account for during the building process. Today, we’ll talk about those four features, as well as a few materials and products you can use to achieve the goals of these features.

At Sustainable 9 Design + Build, creating eco-friendly, modern homes is in our name. If you’re ready to build your next Minnesota dream home, one that is sustainable, beautiful, and functional, then give us a call at 612 -540 -0871 or start the conversation by E-mail ([email protected]). Or if you prefer, send us a message through our website.

Table of Contents

Energy Conservation

Why You Should Conserve Energy in Your Home: First off, conserving energy will help you save money on energy bills. On top of that, less electricity used means you’ll also burn fewer fossil fuels and can reduce overall pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from your home.

Ways to Create a Home That Conserves Energy:

Install a smart thermostat that can automatically turn off or reduce heating and cooling when you’re asleep or out of the house.
Purchase energy efficient appliances
Purchase an energy efficient water heater
Install energy efficient windows
Upgrade your HVAC system (Look for Energy Star labels)
Use good insulation techniques (the colder the climate you live in, the higher the ‘R-value’ of your home should be)

Water Conservation

Why You Should Conserve Water in Your Home: Water conservation is becoming essential no matter where you live in the world, even where water seems plentiful. There is a finite amount of water resources in the world, and each year the amount is shrinking. Water conservation will also save you money, as well as help prevent pollution in nearby lakes, rivers, and watersheds.

Ways to Create a Home that Conserves Water:

Install low or dual flush toilets
Use a high-efficiency washing machine
Install water-saving shower-heads, timers, and low-flow faucet aerators
Insulate your water pipes
Use a greywater system
Harvest rainwater for watering your garden or lawn

Solar Power

Why You Should Use Solar Power in Your Home: Solar power is great for the environment, as it represents a clean and green source of energy and will reduce your carbon footprint. People with solar power homes are less likely to experience power outages. Of course, solar power is also a free source of energy.

Ways to Use Solar Energy in Your Home:

Solar energy can be used for heating your pool
Install a solar water heater
Use hot water or hot air solar systems
Install solar powered pumps
Power your home with photo-electric
Use landscape lighting fixtures that use solar energy for power

Healthy Air Quality

Why You Should Make Sure Your Home Has Healthy Air Quality: Breathing quality indoor air is essential for both your long term and short term health. Serious pollutants in the air can cause asthma, cancers and other health complications. Overall, clean air in your home can help prevent many environmental health hazards.

Ways to Create Healthy Air Quality in Your Home:

Use a trickle ventilator
Use non-toxic paints (Low VOC)
Create a home where plants can thrive
Avoid lead pants

The Present and Future is Sustainable

The trend we see today about living a sustainable life, whether it’s through the food we consume, the products we buy, or the houses we build, isn’t just a trend. It’s a fixture of the American lifestyle today. Now more than ever there is a need for sustainable living practices. If you’re reading this, then you’re already on the right path. We here at Sustainable 9 implore you to keep educating yourself about how to live an environmentally-conscious life.