Affordable Sustainable Homes

The simplest way that anyone can approach a cost effective green home design. In order to build a product that is affordable and competitive. (Via an approach in design to increase the energy efficiency of our homes.) Is to build our green built home with exterior walls framed with 2×6 studs, instead of 2×4 studs. Which creates a wall cavity depth, capable of holding R 19 insulation. In turn we want to include in our green built home design. The thickest available ceiling insulation in our attic. Then, if we want to maximize our design for the least amount of thermal energy loss. We will want the most efficient floor that we can have in our homes, which will be an insulated wood floor. Which looses far less thermal energy than an on grade concrete slab floor. Basically this is what we want in our design. In order to reduce the typical Btu/hour/degree Fahrenheit losses. ~ Which will provide us with a computable amount of thermal energy losses at various exterior temperatures. Which in this affordable design approach. Will be the most effective when compared to other design methods.

If we do as suggested above, we find out that all the construction materials that we need to build such a building. Can be found in every local market. While these materials and methods of construction are the most affordable means to increase a building’s energy efficiency.

Perhaps the best thing that we can say about this basic design approach. Is that all of the materials are both sustainable, and affordable. As compared to the spectrum of new materials said to be energy efficient. But may not warrant the use of, because of the material’s cost. In turn we must again state that all of the materials we need. Are found within every local market. Which means that the notion and concept of an affordable sustainable home, is “Market Ready.” Rather than decades away in technological development terms.

Given that we have a few affordable renewable energy technologies. Such as solar space heating panels and various geo thermal technologies and applications. That we can install into new green built homes. We can make a real estate product that pays for itself. While our building’s monthly energy cost. Will never come about to compete with the monthly home loan payments. Thus reducing the number of loan defaults, while making this type of building the kind that will be of the greatest amount of appreciation on the market.

Having suggested solar thermal heating of our home’s air, along with geo thermal applications, which include such things as Earth Tubes. We likewise would want to suggest tankless water heaters. In light of the fact that solar water heating for some people. Is viewed as being somewhat expensive.

What is interesting about this concept for building energy efficient homes. With built in renewable energy features. Is that not only is this a sustainable home for the home owner. This view of approach is also the means whereby renewable energy systems (and hence product sales). Can be implemented in the private sector. Kick starting a sustainable green economy. Keeping in mind that hard to afford renewable energy systems, do very little to help move the product on the market. Whereas these affordable technologies coupled with affordable kinds of green built homes. Will help move the product on the market. And so, will in effect be the method to actually create a viable green economy and marketplace.


People also view

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *