Eco-friendly tips for your new Cheyenne home!
What was once a crunchy concept that only the hippies down in Colorado practiced, eco-friendly living or green building is now a common practice for many Cheyenne home builders, not only because of its sustainability, but because it saves homeowners the other precious kind of green — money!
At Homes By Guardian, our Cheyenne living communities such as Westedt Meadows and Whitney Ranch are the perfect neighborhoods to practice eco-friendly, everyday living. Learn more about what that looks like in today’s post!
The Green Lifestyle
As Cheyenne continues to expand in population, there will always be the demand for new housing, and eco-friendly construction is no longer just a selling point, it’s a demand of the homebuyer, which is why it’s vital to partner with a builder that tries to make their homes as sustainable as possible.
But, what does this look like — what marks an eco-friendly home?
Energy Audit
One thing you can look for as a potential homebuyer is whether or not they have an energy audit in the different construction stages. This can look like the following:
Pre-construction can gauge the energy-efficiency in the model home and adjust new builds for any air leaks and other energy concerns.
Pre-drywall can assess for proper ventilation, fire safety, and air tightness.
An efficiency check can be performed when all the windows and insulation is in, checking for any leaks or issues.
Communicate with your builder, and ask if they have an energy audit during construction; if they don’t, you may want to consider paying for an audit so you’re able to address any energy issues before the home is finished.
Eco-Friendly Building Materials
Energy-saving materials typically cost more upfront, but pay themselves off over time. If you’re considering an upgrade of more energy efficient building materials, a good rule of thumb to follow is when they’ll pay for themselves — seven years or less is right around the sweet spot.
Consider materials such as R10 foam installation, geothermal heating, or specific home appliances that are Energy-Star rated. Some building companies may even offer an energy package.
Other considerations include:
- Double wall construction
- Insulated hot water pipes
- Cool roofing (metal, tiles, slate, terra cotta, etc)
- Energy Star windows
- High-efficiency doors
- LED lighting
- High-efficiency HVAC with a programmable thermostat
- Low-flow plumbing
- Xeriscaping
- Reclaimed or sustainable wood
- Sustainable flooring (bamboo, cork, etc)
- Recycled steel and other metals
- Low-VOC materials (paint, glue, carpet, cabinets)
With so many green options to choose from, are there eco-friendly decisions that really make the difference? We think so!
The Non-Negotiables in an Eco-Friendly Home
Windows/Exterior Doors
Windows and exterior doors are one of the features that will make a difference in your home; after all, they keep the elements out and the heat or AC in!
HVAC
A high-efficiency HVAC is crucial — the ductwork can be efficiently sealed, the filters optimized, and the energy usee better controlled.
Lighting and Appliances
Ensure that all your lighting and home appliances are energy efficient and Energy-Star rated.
Insulation
Insulation is another important component, because similar to windows and doors, it insulates and keeps your home at a comfortable temperature. Consider a variety of different foam applications such as blanket, blown, or foam.
Green homes are no longer the fringe of crunchy, greens-drinking individuals — they’re the smart, money saving option that also happen to be great for our environment! There are many ways you can create an eco-friendly home from the windows that are installed and the appliances you use right down to the low-VOC paint you use on your walls!