How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint When Building a House

Setting aside the future ability to colonize Mars, we only get one planet. As such, you may be wondering, “How can I reduce my carbon footprint?” While there are day-to-day steps you can take to limit the effects you’re having on the environment in Poulsbo, WA, you can also be eco-friendly when constructing a new home.

While some waste and production of greenhouse gases are unavoidable in the construction of your house, there are ways to offset this. Here is how to lower your carbon footprint while building a house.

Have a plan

Reducing your carbon footprint is a worthwhile goal, and the earlier in the process you decide to make it a priority, the better off you will be. Before you begin building, you can map out all the materials you will use, how those materials will be transported and how your house will be laid out. It will be a comprehensive process sorting out all the sources of energy that your home will need, including water, power, materials and waste, and you can work with a contractor to find ways to lower your carbon footprint before you start construction.

Use eco-friendly materials

Which materials you elect to use in the construction of your home can affect your carbon footprint. Steel and cement are the two biggest culprits, as when combined, they represent 47 percent of all emissions from material use and consumption. Fortunately, there are alternatives. Bamboo and cork are becoming more popular as flooring materials, and cellulose and sheep’s wool insulation are viable green options when compared to traditional insulation materials.

Implement recycled or reused materials

While steel is responsible for a considerable volume of emissions, it is a vital component to the frame of a house. If you are wondering how to reduce your carbon footprint while using steel, there is a solution: recycled steel. Using recycled steel lowers mining waste, air and water pollution, and requires less energy to produce than new steel. It’s also already commonly in use: most metal buildings are manufactured from at least 70 percent recycled steel.

Consider the machines

You will undoubtedly have to use heavy machinery to construct your house. Whether that’s trucks to transport materials or bulldozers to move dirt around, the use of some gas-powered vehicles is unavoidable. That being said, you can still take steps to lower your carbon footprint. For example, you could choose contractors that are closer to your building site to minimize the use of fossil fuels when materials are being transported. You could also compare build times between contractors, selecting those that can perform the task more quickly, which would involve using fewer fossil fuels and thereby lowering your carbon footprint.

Call for an estimate today

Now that you know how to lower your carbon footprint while building your house in Poulsbo, WA, you should give the team at Coyote Hollow Construction a call. We’ve been in business for over 30 years, and are licensed experts in construction and remodeling. It’s our goal to make your dream home a reality, so call today for a free consultation and we’ll be happy to help you throughout the entire process.

Categorised in: Home Tips