| comes to mind when you hear the term "eco-friendly | | | | building materials that are commonly being used in |
| homes"? Energy efficiency is something that people | | | | eco-friendly homes along with renewable resources |
| most often equate with this term and that is | | | | like bamboo. Nowadays many types of products are |
| certainly an important part of eco-friendly homes, but | | | | being made from bamboo, a member of the grass |
| there is more to being eco-friendly than just saving | | | | family, from flooring to cabinets, to wall coverings. |
| energy, a whole lot more. True eco-friendly homes | | | | Energy Efficiency |
| should be created from materials that are either | | | | Of course, energy efficiency is an important part of |
| recycled or at least are not made from fossil fuels. | | | | eco-friendly homes. A well-insulated home with low E |
| Eco-friendly homes are about reducing waste, making | | | | glass, double glazed windows, will help save energy |
| better use of space and keeping things clean. | | | | and adding solar panels can help you create energy. |
| Reduce, re-use, recycle is the mantra of the | | | | Some eco-friendly homes even add power into the |
| eco-friendly home builder. | | | | power grid and make money back from the electric |
| Green Building Techniques | | | | companies by using solar or wind power. And adding |
| In fact, even the building techniques used to make a | | | | solar panels to a home isn't nearly as expensive as it |
| home can be easier on the environment. Builders are | | | | used to be, you can even make your own solar |
| starting to think about building homes on fewer | | | | panels with simple instructions and a kit that you can |
| square feet of land (more earth left for plants to | | | | purchase. Some choose to heat their water with |
| grow) and even including roof top gardens that help | | | | solar panel, thereby reducing their need for gas or |
| to insulate the home, while making more room for | | | | electricity. |
| carbon monoxide-loving oxygen-producing plants, to | | | | Making the Earth a Better Place |
| grow. That is an example of what it truly means to | | | | More and more people are realizing the importance |
| "go green" with eco-friendly homes. Even small things | | | | and benefits of creating eco-friendly homes to better |
| like building the home in a south facing position can | | | | manage the earth's natural resources so it can be a |
| help to make better use of natural sunlight which can | | | | better place for future generations. More homes are |
| help the home to be more energy efficient. | | | | being built with green building materials and techniques |
| Eco-friendly Building Materials | | | | and people are even taking steps to make their |
| Building materials that do not result in deforestation | | | | current homes more environmentally sound. As |
| of the earth, especially the delicate rain forests also | | | | building eco-friendly homes becomes more popular, |
| help make eco-friendly homes. This can be anything | | | | these techniques will likely become more |
| from reclaimed wood that comes from river beds, | | | | commonplace and actually become the standard for |
| standing dead wood or even from buildings or homes | | | | the home building industry. Meanwhile, a people who |
| that are being torn down. So long as no living tree | | | | are looking to purchase or build a new homes should |
| was cut down to build a home, that home is more | | | | seriously consider "going green" with eco-friendly |
| eco-friendly. Mud, stones and even straw are natural | | | | homes. |