Thus, several people started living sustainably by transforming their homes into eco-friendly ones. Time has changed a lot, and people are trying to cope with this in their ways. Others start by changing their ways of living, while some construct their homes to be more energy-efficient.

For those who aim to live more efficiently, the question starts with how to find a sustainable home. To help you, here are the qualities of a sustainable home and the other types of eco-friendly houses that you can look into.

Qualities of a Sustainable Home

Sustainable homes or eco-homes and green homes are popular across the globe. The greenest city in the United States in 2021, San Diego, was preparing to hit 100% renewable energy by 2030. So, they have prepared various eco-friendly initiatives, such as sustainable housing and switching to green energy sources.

On the other hand, one of the largest cities in Australia, such as Sydney, has presented its goal of continuing its vision of sustainable growth and innovation in 2023. If you’re planning to build your own home here, they have available experts in Sydney builders to assist you with your plans. It’s also the same for most countries in Asia as people become more aware of sustainable living.

Moreover, deciding to have your own sustainable home will require in-depth research and much time deliberating. Since it will be your shelter for many years, it will not be an easy decision to make. Thus, before discussing the different types of sustainable homes, you can first look into the various qualities of an eco-home to give you an idea.

Energy-Efficient Design. This refers to the elements of the home design that helps in making the house sustainable, such as employing solar panels or high-performance windows. This focuses on using techniques that positively affect your home and the environment in the short and long term.

Home Insulation. A sustainable home has an excellent insulation system that retains heat without using sophisticated technologies.

Energy-Saving Smart Appliances. Sustainability doesn’t mean completely ditching machines and technologies, but about being able to balance economic growth and environmental care. A sustainable home is filled with appliances and systems that conserve energy and are safe for the environment.

Types of Sustainable Homes

After going through the primary elements of a sustainable home, it’s about time you get to know a selection of sustainable homes you can select from. These houses’ primary goal is to provide a sustainable life, and if you’re planning to live through this path, here are a few types of homes you can look into.

Passive Houses

Passive houses aim to consume little to no electricity and make the living situation comfortable for the dwellers. This type of sustainable house incorporates various strategies that utilize the sun’s energy, such as high-performance insulation.

You also don’t have to worry about the winter cold since passive houses also have heat recovery ventilators to keep fresh air circulating inside your home and keep your house cooler throughout summer.

Bioclimatic Houses

Bioclimatic houses employ ‘biology’ and ‘climate’ in their architecture. This house is designed based on the local climate conditions to ensure that the dwellers will experience comfort and insulation by only using environmental resources.

The house will be compact to reduce the surface area, and the windows will likely face the sun to make the most of its solar energy.

Tiny Houses

Tiny houses are becoming popular among people who wish to live simply. They are eco-friendly homes that people can also build on a trailer. Among other houses on this list, tiny homes are more affordable. It’s also because you’ll live in a space you only truly need, making your life more efficient.

Moreover, this type of house is considered sustainable because dwellers will need less energy and materials. Not only will you be able to save a lot of money making your tiny house, but it will also save you from future home expenses.

Prefabricated Houses

Prefabricated houses, also known as prefabs, are made off-site. To build prefab homes, architects premade or manufacture these homes ahead of time. Then, they’re transported to the location where they’ll be assembled. They can be built with a panel or modular so that the production will vary significantly.

Nonetheless, these houses are sustainable because they are energy-efficient, cost-effective, and have lesser adverse environmental effects.

Zero Carbon Houses

Zero-carbon houses are designed to produce a zero-carbon footprint every year. This type of sustainable house is ensured of extreme airtightness and insulation to provide the cool and warmth needed according to the season so that the dwellers consume less energy. However, this doesn’t include the carbon emissions from constructing the house nor the carbon emissions from manufacturing the materials needed to complete these houses.

Still, unlike the other houses in this list, zero-carbon homes are relatively new innovations made possible because of new smart technologies. There are ongoing research programs to determine the feasibility of zero-carbon homes in the market. Thus, researchers are continuously trying to figure out how to make an efficient technology for energy conservation in the future.

Final Thoughts

Sustainable living is understanding how your lifestyle choices can significantly affect the world and figuring out various ways to improve it. Although people have different ways of living sustainably, transforming your home into an eco-friendly one is a good start.

Also, remember that sustainable living isn’t a one-time thing but a lifestyle. It will need a lifetime of dedication and commitment to make positive changes.