Sustainable building materials play a key role in increasing home energy self-sufficiency. They help decrease greenhouse emissions, reduce the energy required to operate and maintain buildings and increase indoor air quality.
They also reduce the total cost of construction. They require low maintenance and can last for a long time.
1. Recycled Materials
Recycled materials are an essential component of a sustainable building because they help reduce the consumption of raw materials and avoid environmental and climate issues associated with primary resource extraction. Recycling saves energy, conserves water and air pollution, and helps create new markets for recycled materials.
Recyclable materials include paper, cardboard, aluminum cans, glass bottles, and plastic. They can be collected by buy-back centres, drop-off centres, or curbside programs.
While some cities have a strict policy on what can and can’t be recycled, others are more flexible. In any case, the best way to increase recycling rates is to educate your neighbors about it and encourage them to recycle.
2. Wood
Wood is a naturally renewable material that can be repurposed and used for thousands of different products. It is also a great energy-saving material that reduces energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Reclaimed wood is an eco-friendly option that is often recycled from old buildings or homes. It not only has a lower environmental impact than harvesting new timber, but it can also bring the spirit of the past into modern houses.
If you’re building a new home, make sure to incorporate sustainable materials into your design. These options can significantly cut down on your energy costs, while also protecting you from rising utility prices.
3. Insulation
Insulation is a key building material that helps keep your home comfortable and energy efficient all year round. It prevents cold drafts from entering the house in winter and keeps hot air outside in summer.
Insulators work by trapping tiny pockets of air within the materials they are made from, which is what gives them their high thermal resistance. There are many different types of insulation, including batts, rolls and loose-fill, as well as reflective foil and foam.
Insulation is also commonly used to protect wires and cables from water, corrosive materials and exposure to the environment. This can help to keep the wiring from deteriorating and causing fires.
4. Metals
Metals are a large category of materials that are used in many different areas of the world. They are essential for the modern world, ranging from cars to cooking utensils and electrical wires.
The defining characteristic of metals is their ability to conduct electricity. This property is due to the freedom of the outermost electrons, known as valence electrons.
Metals are opaque, fusible, ductile, and typically lustrous substances that are good conductors of electricity and heat. They readily lose electrons to form cations, and they yield basic oxides and hydroxides when exposed to oxygen in the air.
5. Water
If you want to make your home energy self-sufficient, one of the most important things you can do is switch to renewable energy. Using solar power is the most efficient way to achieve this, and can save you money over time.
Using on-site water instead of relying on municipal supplies can be another way to reduce your household’s impact on the environment. Rainwater harvesting and local treatment of wastewater (from the kitchen, bathroom and washing machine) are increasingly popular options for increasing water self-sufficiency.
Choosing sustainable building materials is also an excellent way to reduce your house’s environmental impact. This can help lower your energy bills and increase your home’s value. You can also get lower insurance premiums for your home when you opt for green construction.