Energy Efficiency

Creating an energy efficient home is easier than ever before with a growing market for home additions that can both save the planet and save you money. From solar panels harnessing the power of the sun to living roofs and walls with plants that help keep out the summer heat, green construction can be involved from the top down in home construction. For the tech savvy, eco-friendly and high-tech also go hand in hand in your home. From in-wall touch screens to smartphone apps, you can control everything from light to heat to keep your home at peak efficiency. There are so many ways to save some green while embracing green additions to your home.

Locally Sourced Materials

Using local and sustainable materials in construction or renovation is yet another way to be both green and stylish. Reclaimed wood flooring and locally sourced stone countertops are just a few ways you can design a beautiful home while reducing your carbon footprint. And it doesn’t have to stop in the home. Using local plants and options like eco-friendly artificial grass can keep your property beautiful while reducing both your environmental impact and your water bill.

Energy Certification

Certifications for being green can help you know you’re doing your part for the planet and add value to your home. Certifying bodies like Energy Star and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) recognize a home’s commitment to green building and energy efficiency. With the amount of green certified homes rapidly growing, now could be the perfect time to embrace the trend towards green housing.

There are so many benefits to joining the trend of green housing. Knowing you’re doing your part for the planet is worth the price of investing in environmentally friendly designs. Making your home energy efficient can also save you money, cutting back on your energy bills. And if you’re selling or investing, your property will also see an increase in value and marketability when you add popular eco-features. Today could be the perfect day to take a step towards reducing your carbon footprint and seeing what going green can do for you and your home.

The post Mark Kravitz: Now Is The Time To Embrace Green Construction appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Use Locally Sourced Materials Inside and Out

Just as you can shrink your carbon footprint by purchasing food locally, using regionally-sourced building materials can improve the environmental-friendliness of your property. Reusing building materials and using products sourced from within your region are two ways to lessen the environmental impact of home construction. According to LEED certification standards, regional materials are defined as those which are “extracted, harvested, or recovered, as well as manufactured” within 500 miles of your home.

The use of locally-sourced materials goes beyond construction. Consider using native flora and local materials when planning your outdoor décor and landscaping. Water availability is limited in Southern California; planting vegetation that thrives in the area’s semi-arid climate saves money and helps you meet water-conservation goals in years of drought. A gardening guide is a great way to discover the different species of plant that are native to your region.

Solar Panels

For decades, homes in the United States have relied on unsustainable sources of energy. With costs rising and increased awareness of environmental considerations, homeowners are seeking alternatives for powering their homes. There is no better way to “go green” and shrink your carbon footprint than by adding solar panels to your home. Formally known as a photovoltaic (PV) rooftop system, the panels can be installed to be hardly noticeable on most homes, adding eco-friendliness without sacrificing aesthetics.

Solar energy isn’t just beneficial for the environment; it’s also an excellent way to cut down on the overall energy costs of your home. In conjunction with a concerted effort to cut energy usage around the house, you may be able to eliminate your energy bill. At the current rate of energy costs, solar panels already offer great return on investment. Most solar power systems have a lifespan of 25 years or more and the typical homeowner in the United States breaks even on their investment after seven to eight years. This value should continue to increase significantly in the coming decades as energy costs balloon.

Green Roofs and Walls

Using locally sourced construction materials, landscaping your outdoor areas with native plants, and installing solar panels are all tried-and-true ideas for making your home more eco-friendly. However, those changes won’t make your home stand out in a luxury market that’s full of homes with similar features. There are some outside-the-box ideas that improve the desirability and the sustainability of your property. One such idea is building a green roof or a green wall into your home.

Green roofs and walls aren’t a new idea; they have been popular in Europe for centuries. Conventional roofs radiate the sun’s heat, contributing to the urban heat island effect. Rainwater is not absorbed by their impermeable surfaces, requiring extensive drainage and water control systems on your property. A green roof addresses both issues by absorbing heat and precipitation. Other benefits of a green roof include a longer lifespan than conventional roofs and reduced energy costs from natural insulation.

The first step in adding a green roof or wall to your home is consulting with a roofing professional. The roofer will be able to provide information on the weight load your home can accommodate. Depending on the slope of your roof and its ability to bear the weight of plants and growing medium, you can choose between an intensive or extensive roof. Intensive green roofs are like an elevated park with shrubs and trees – naturally they require flat surface and a roof that can accommodate a weight of 80-150 pounds per square foot. Extensive roofs are less functional, carry a lighter weight load, and typically feature native groundcover that requires little maintenance.

Looking around the country reveals the popularity of this trend in eco-friendly building design. In Beverly Hills, a brand-new luxury mixed-use property on Wilshire Boulevard will prominently feature a green wall.

No matter how you plan to accomplish it, “going green” is beneficial for the environment and your property value. Luxury homebuyers of the past sought out features like opulent water fountains or expansive grassy lawns but today’s buyers desire eco-friendly designs. With conservation and environmental-awareness increasing, this is a trend in home design that’s well worth its cost.

Joyce Rey is the exclusive agent representing the Beverly Hills, California real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. Contact her here!

Image source: ShutterStock

The post Joyce Rey: Luxury LA Real Estate Is Going Green appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.