Building a home is a fun time.

Building a dream home that is also good for the environment is something a lot of people are also striving for. 

Now, more than ever, people are focused on creating sustainability and not wreaking havoc on the world to have their needs met. 

So, how do you create a home you love and do right by planet earth?

1) Building A New Home Through Sustainable Housing 

If you are thinking about building a new home there are many ways in which you can do this in a green manner. 

1. Think about land preservation. How can you keep the trees, plants, etc that are growing there. Can you build around the vegetation? Is there a way to keep the land around while building the new structure?
2. Source your products ethically. Instead of having everything shipped from overseas can you use from your region? Can you buy tiles and wood locally from your neighbourhood mom and pop shop? How can you reduce the materials that will affect the planet? 
3. Splurge on amazing windows and doors! Windows and doors are crucial for keeping out the cold Saskatchewan winters. Invest in the best insulated windows. These windows should be the best at keeping out drafts. They will pay off in spades on the heating bills for years to come. 

2) Build a Home That Fits Your Lifestyle

Don’t get caught up in keeping up with Joneses in terms of the size of your house. If you have a small family of 3, chances are you do not need 4800 square feet of living. Or maybe you do?

Consider how you actually live rather than how you should be living based on your neighbourhood standards. Sometimes, a smaller home with higher finishings is better for the life you want than a huge home you think you need.

Selling your home to large growing families stops the building of a new home. If you move to a condo – your carbon footprint is that much smaller as well. 

Keeping the carbon footprint smaller in a home build means less heating and cooling costs as well.

3) Build For The Future

Building a smart home is another great way to help save the planet. Smart homes recognize patterns and can preserve heat/cold throughout the days. When the family is gone, heat can be turned down to 15 degrees to not waste energy and a/c can be turned off. 

One hour before you or your family returns home the house will either heat up or cool down – based on schedules throughout the week. 

Smart homes can also store energy for items such as cars and heating. New homes can be built with solar panels and solar siding. Solar battery storage service transforms smart homes. This energy can be stored and used when needed.

There are several ways in which new builds or renos can be done in a greener method. 

As always, if you need help buying or selling your home let us know. 

Gregg Bamford and Ryan Bamford.