With global warming becoming an increasing concern and raised awareness of conservation and green living practices, more Texas home builders are creating eco-friendly homes with energy saving elements. These homes can do a great deal in protecting the environment, preserving precious resources, and cutting back on energy costs. One of the most common ways to create eco-friendly dwellings is to make heating and cooling more efficient. A recent study by the US Department of Energy found that up to 20% of the energy used for temperature control actually escapes from under doors and around windows. Earth conscious Texas home builders will install tightly sealed doors, windows, ductwork, and electrical switches. They can also install more energy efficient windows, such as multi-pane, glazed, or tinted windows that prevent excessive sunlight from heating up a home. Insulation is another important element in reducing energy waste in the home. Using batting, blown fill, and rigid insulation keeps heat inside during the winter, drastically cutting down on the heat that can escape through wood, masonry, and dry wall. Texas home builders choose insulation based on the R-value, which measures the degree to which a material insulates. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the material will be. For the summer months, reflective insulation can keep heat from entering your house through the roof and walls. Combining these different types of insulation can keep your house energy efficient all year long. Some people estimate that over 30% of a home’s energy use comes from heating water. Installing a more efficient water heater can drastically cut down on energy use and costs. Tankless water heaters are the most energy efficient because they only heat water as needed, instead of heating large quantities and storing it for future use.
Water conservation is another important aspect of green building. Some Texas home builders build sidewalks, patios, and driveways out of pervious paving material, which, unlike traditional concrete, allows rainwater to soak through to the soil. Pervious pavers can either be poured like concrete or installed in the form of bricks or flagstones. Another way in which Texas home builders are saving water is by giving new homes low-impact lawns. Instead of using grass seeds that are foreign to the region and take tremendous amounts of water to survive, some builders and landscapers are planting yards with native plants that thrive naturally. Plus, native flora will not need fertilizer, which introduces unnatural chemicals into the environment.
If you are building a new home, talk to your Texas home builders about how you can build a more earth-friendly home. Not only will you save on energy costs, more importantly, you will reduce your carbon footprint and do your part in preserving the earth’s precious resources.
Zbranek & Holt Custom Homes are Texas home builders that have been serving Austin and the surrounding area for over 34 years. Due to our commitment to individualized customer service, we have been recognized with multiple awards, including the 2011 Custom Home Builder of the Year by Austin Business Journal. We are also dedicated to green building practices, advising customers on energy saving methods and incorporating sustainable building in all our houses. For more information, call us at 512-261-0344 or visit our website at.
