Over the last several years, sustainability has become a core focus in the world of construction, expanding from the commercial side to residential audiences. As more homeowners demand innovation and greener lifestyles, residential building construction companies have risen to the challenge with energy-efficient designs and eco-friendly materials.
In this article, we’ll explore a few of the ways modern home builders are creating more sustainable, practical, and environmentally friendly homes.
More Eco-Friendly Building Material Options
While eco-friendly materials were once hard to come by, residential building construction companies have taken the initiative to make these resources more accessible for projects. Today, there are a variety of choices available to the homeowner that can be sourced and implemented with minimal impact on the natural environment, including:
- Recycled materials like reclaimed wood, recycled steel, and salvaged fixtures
- Sustainable wood sourced responsibly from well-managed forests
- Insulated concrete forms provide impressive insulation with less concrete mass
- Low-VOC materials such as paints and primers with minimal volatile organic compounds
Energy-Efficient Building Systems
As effective as eco-friendly materials can be, building a sustainable home involves far more than choosing the right products. A building’s internal systems for heating, cooling, ventilation, and lighting are often the largest contributors to energy consumption. Modern residential building construction companies are now integrating more advanced versions of these technologies to lower power usage, utility costs, and environmental impact, including:
- High-efficiency HVAC systems can heat and cool homes with less power draw
- LED lighting lasts longer on less power than traditional incandescent lighting
- Solar panels can supplement a home’s power with a more sustainable alternative
- Smart thermostats optimize energy use by adapting to your preferences and schedule
Water Conservation Technologies
While many of us are lucky enough to never worry about water scarcity, sustainable homes can still make a difference by mitigating unnecessary water usage. Many residential building construction companies now offer more efficient plumbing and fixtures to minimize this waste, including features like:
- Low-flow fixtures including toilets, faucets, and showerheads designed to use less water
- Graywater systems recycle used sink and bath water for irrigation or flushing toilets
- Rainwater collection systems capture and store rainwater for landscaping use
Green Certifications & Sustainability Standards
As more homeowners set out to build more sustainable homes, the residential side of construction can benefit from third-party certification systems like LEED and Energy Star, which have long been reliable standards for sustainability in commercial construction.
A green certification validates a home’s adherence to agreed-upon standards of energy efficiency and carbon footprint mitigation. Though the requirements are stringent, the best residential construction companies put in the effort to pursue these for their green homes.
VPC Builders: Leading the Way in Sustainable Construction
Here at VPC Builders, we take pride in our work, and that means offering the highest standards of sustainable home design for our residential clients. If you’re preparing to build your dream home, consider the advantages of green building — both for the environment and your wallet. Get in touch with North Carolina’s most trusted homebuilders today to tell us about your plans. We’ll provide the expertise you need to build a home you can be proud of.
Go green and go home. Contact VPC Builders today.