Over the last decade or so, there has been a much greater shift in the attention people give to the environment and the effects their actions have on it. The way we travel is a huge factor here, but so is the way we live. In efforts to live a more “green” lifestyle, more and more homeowners are turning to technology and tiny homes.
One way homeowners choose to do this is to equip their homes with the latest and most energy-efficient technology. Green homeowners also often equip their homes with eco-friendly appliances, like convection ovens which use less energy and cook 25% faster, LED lighting, dual flush toilets, and solar panels.
“I see a steady flow of buyers who are looking for energy-efficient homes,” Realtor Leland DiMeco told the Boston Globe. “Some are concerned about their carbon footprint. Others are looking for a home with good indoor air quality because they have allergies or chemical sensitivities, or they’re concerned about utility costs.”
The most energy-efficient homes don’t just reduce the amount of energy they use. In fact, some homes even create their own energy — more than they can use.
According to CNN, technology, strategic design, and clever architecture all come together to place Aktivhaus, a German-designed modular home, in the forefront of green home technology.
Designed by Werner Sobek, the homes can react to changes in indoor and outdoor areas and work with nearby homes (called an Aktivhaus Network) to create and store energy.
Since retrofitting a home with the newest energy-efficient technologies and homes that can produce and store their own energy aren’t in every homeowner’s price range, there is another popular green home option.
The number of tiny homes is on the rise. The tiny home movement essentially advocates living as simply as possible (reminiscent of Henry David Thoreau’s philosophy), and use the least amount of resources as possible.
Green home initiatives are definitely here to stay, and range from the smallest, simplest, inexpensive homes to large and pricey luxury homes.