When it comes to sustainable home design, there are a number of important considerations. These include orientation, open floor plans, natural light, and energy efficiency.
It’s also important to select materials that are low VOC. This will ensure your indoor air quality is better.
Orientation
Orientation of a building can have a significant impact on the amount of solar energy it receives and its year-round temperature and comfort. It is influenced by topography, wind speed and direction, site relationship to the street, access to views, drainage considerations and other factors.
Ideally, buildings should be oriented so that their long sides face north and south. This helps maximize direct sunlight during winter while keeping the building cool and comfortable during summer.
In addition, it can help save energy by reducing heating costs and cooling costs. For example, homes that are oriented toward the sun can save between 10% and 20% on heating costs.
Open Floor Plans
Open floor plans can maximize functionality and minimize clutter. By eliminating walls and doors, you’ll free up space in your home so you can entertain larger crowds and still feel comfortable.
Open concepts can also be versatile, so you can reconfigure your home’s design as your needs change. For example, you can turn a great room into a family room, playroom, recreation room, or office.
You’ll also enjoy better air flow and temperature control with open floors. This means you won’t have to worry about turning up your air conditioning when a room starts feeling warmer than others.
And of course, you’ll love the natural light that comes from opening up your interior spaces. That’s because walls don’t block windows, which lets the sunlight travel through your house and connect indoor spaces with outdoor ones.
Natural Light
Natural light bathes your home in a brightness that artificial lighting simply cannot. It also helps increase serotonin levels, decreases your reliance on ceiling lights and can help keep your house warmer in winter.
When designing your home, you’ll want to consider where the sunlight comes in and what time of day it shines on the house. This will ensure that you get the most out of it during certain times of the day (like when it’s morning or evening).
Another way to maximize natural light is by making sure that your windows are facing in the right direction. This will allow the sun’s rays to warm up the space in the winter and cool down it during the summer, which will help reduce your energy costs.
While natural light is a vital component to any building’s design, it can be overlooked by many people. However, by incorporating it into your designs you can create sustainable buildings that are also beautiful!
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is a crucial part of eco-friendly home design. By reducing energy consumption, you can reduce your energy bills and help to combat climate change.
Choosing resource-saving, eco-friendly appliances is the easiest way to maximize your home’s energy efficiency. Look for products with the ENERGY STAR label, which is an EPA-approved certification.
In addition to minimizing energy use, choosing energy efficient appliances also helps you conserve water and natural resources. Appliances like washing machines and dishwashers, as well as water heaters, can reduce your monthly water bill.
Another way to save energy is to minimize the size of your home. A smaller home uses less energy to heat and cool than a larger one, so it’s an important part of eco-friendly home design.