When it comes to the term “green home”, what do you think of? This Old House defines a green home as “a house that’s both healthy for the environment and for its occupants, with the main criteria being energy efficiency, sustainability, durability, and human health.” and can include things like smart technology, solar panels, and construction made from high recycled content and materials. By either buying a green home or turning your listing into one, it can be beneficial for the environment as well as your wallet. Keep reading to learn more!

What is a Green Home? Green Energy Explained

Solar Panels

As technology advances, the popularity and quality of solar energy options also increases. Solar panels have become much more common and you can find them on many businesses and homes in the US. Combined with various rebates and incentives, solar panels may be  affordable now more than ever and can even pay for themselves over the long run. Take a look at this article from energy.gov with some great tips to getting started with solar panels.

Smart Technology & Energy Star Appliances

Just a few benefits of smart technology are convenience, ensures sustainability, efficiency and saves money and time. When you couple that with energy star appliances, the benefits are endless. Smart tech and energy star approvals ensure that the energy and amounts of water used for each machine has the least impact on the environment. To learn more about energy star appliances, click here.

Geothermal

Geothermal energy is exactly what it sounds like – harnessing the energy that the earth itself provides. There are a plethora of benefits to geothermal energy but just a few are: it leaves a small carbon footprint, its renewable energy, it can be used for both heating and cooling, and the best part – no fuel bill! This is an amazing way to help the environment, and will make your green home the highlight of the neighborhood! Click here to learn more about geothermal energy.

Recycled Building Materials & Garden Spaces

Recycled Building Materials

The main benefit of using reused resources to build a house is the cost and energy efficiency. By using recycled materials you can reduce the cost of construction and you’ll see that a home based on sustainability is more energy efficient in the long run. From reclaiming materials from old buildings like barns, to using new materials like bamboo and straw, there are many ways to get inventive with the components you use on your green home.

Indoor & Outdoor Gardens

Having a garden is not only a great way to stay healthy, but it is also beneficial to the environment as well. You also don’t need to have a lot of space or even a yard to enjoy some garden greens! Check out this article from thespruce.com for some tips on apartment gardens for beginners. Whether you live in a moist or dry area, you can create an amazing garden that attracts helpful critters and bugs, and also helps the environment while you’re at it!

Eco-friendly has become a way of life, and a great way to start living healthier is by incorporating that ‘green mindset’ into your home. These are just a few ways you can start, but don’t stop here – the world is your greenhouse! If you enjoyed reading the above article, you can find all of our blog content here. Our team at UCBR strives to elevate the real estate industry by supporting our community and continuing education for professionals and their client base. Additionally, you can also find us on social media at the following: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Cheers!