How to Design a Green House

Green design incorporates many elements.

Designing an eco-friendly house can be a challenging and creative process. There are many green architects and home plans out there to assist you, but much of green design involves building a home uniquely suited to your lifestyle and location.

Things You'll Need

• Building site
• Estimated budget

Instructions

Aspects of Ecological Design

1. 

   Choose a location that enables eco-friendly transport.

   Choose a location: Is the site accessible by public transportation or within walking or biking distance to amenities? Your home's location should minimize your daily consumption of fossil fuels. Also, does the site get good southern exposure for passive solar design? Is there adequate sun, wind or another renewable energy source? Is there space for a garden? Prioritize these elements.

2. 

   Green design is creative and versatile.

   Consider design philosophy: Green design can be rustic and organic or sleek and modern. It can incorporate simple or high-tech elements. Generally, low-tech solutions are more cost-effective and use the least energy and resources, while modern technologies offer comfort and convenience. Permaculture design principles blend your home and landscaping to grow food and recycle household waste. Not-so-big house design principles maximize use of space and minimize your home's footprint. Choose and combine elements that make the most practical, ecological and aesthetic sense for your lifestyle.

3. 

   An Adobe House

   Select building materials: For everything from the foundation, walls, roof, floors, windows, insulation and furnishings, consider the following: (1) Is it local? Shipping materials from far away adds to their carbon footprint. (2) Is it sustainable? Renewable, natural materials include straw bales, sustainably harvested timber, cord wood, cob, adobe, rammed earth and bamboo. You may also use recycled or reclaimed materials. (3) Does it offer good insulation? This will lessen your heating and cooling needs.

4. 

   Passive solar design captures maximum sunlight in winter.

   Incorporate passive solar design: “Passive solar” means directly harnessing the sun's energy without the use of photovoltaic technology for conversion to electricity. Orienting your house and windows toward the south (in the Northern Hemisphere) harnesses the maximum sunlight to keep your house warm in winter. Passive solar energy can also be used for hot water heating.

5. Ensure energy efficiency: Maximize the insulation in your house to reduce energy expended for heating and cooling. Use energy-efficient windows, and keep spaces small and centralized around your heat source. Use thermal curtains over the windows in winter and energy-efficient appliances.

6. 

   Rooftop Solar Panels

   Review renewable energy options: You may choose to go off the grid, or stay on to supplement your power. The most common options for residential systems are solar panels and wind turbines. These can complement each other well, as wind may be present when the sun is not, and vice versa. Use what is most abundant on your site.

7. Choose heating and cooling systems: In addition to passive solar energy, eco-friendly heat sources include corn stoves, wood pellet burners, straw burners and geothermal energy channeled through ground source heat pumps. For cooling, techniques include convection (creating a current of cool air through the house), evaporative (misting and fog fans) and radiative (roof ponds).

8. 

   Household water can be recycled for outdoor use.

   Conserve and recycle water: Consider low-flow shower heads and low-flush or composting toilets. You might incorporate a rainwater collection system. Gray water systems can recycle household water from sources other than the toilet for reuse in the garden.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your house design complies with local building codes.

• Look for LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and the Energy Star label when buying construction materials and appliances.

• If your budget is limited, prioritize energy efficiency and passive solar design before renewable energy systems.

References

• CalRecycle: Green Building Basics
• Greenhomebuilding.com: How to Design Your Dream Green Home
• U.S. Department Of Energy: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Resources

• U.S. Green Building Council: Green Home Guide
• The Not So Big House
• BuildingGreen.com