While your existing home may have been “state-of-the-art” or “cutting edge” a decade or so ago, what was considered aesthetic, efficient, and convenient then, has quickly become outdated–and in many cases–obsolete in a rapidly changing modern era. As with anything that ages for better or for worse, your home and your home amenities typically require more attention and increased efficiency measures to maintain a truly stress-free lifestyle.
We hear it often: energy shortages, wildfires, droughts, rising heat indices; with growing populations comes greater demands on air, water, and energy. We have an individual responsibility to keep up to date with the latest innovations in sustainable living and energy efficiency. As the new year approaches, take the opportunity to prioritize these pressing concerns, embrace sustainable innovations, and commit to a greener, healthier lifestyle.
These home innovations not only help minimize environmental impact but also increase your property value and enhance comfort. Read on to discover cutting-edge developments in sustainable living that you’ll want to keep on your radar for your next Pittsburgh home remodel.
Passive Home Design
Passive home design is a holistic approach to building which aims to minimize or eliminate the need for mechanical systems that operate the home. Simply put, a passive home uses its surroundings to harness natural resources as energy as efficiently as possible. This could range from determining the best positioning of a new structure or home addition to utilizing the cooling effects of nearby trees or other geological features.
Simpler passive home upgrades include adding skylights and the installation of additional windows throughout the home. By allowing more natural sunlight indoors it reduces the need for electrical lighting.
When artificial lighting must be used, upgrading to LED devices is an alternative solution for reducing home energy consumption. Also, you may consider upgrading existing windows to low-emission (Low-E) or double-glazed panels. Low-E glass features a thin, transparent coating that reflects heat. This home innovation improves insulation, and decreases reliance on energy-intensive HVAC systems.
Innovative and Sustainable Building Materials
Traditional materials like wood are finite resources that require significant energy to produce and transport. As supply decreases, prices continue to rise. Today’s generations are increasingly drawn to cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing sustainable building materials like mass timber, reclaimed wood, bamboo, and cork.
Like wood, steel is another material that requires significant energy to produce. A more sustainable building material, ferrock—crafted from steel dust and other waste materials—offers an eco-friendly solution. Additionally, highly innovative, plant-derived building materials such as hemp and mycelium are also gaining popularity due to their renewable nature, low environmental impact, and versatility in creating durable, sustainable structures.
Hemp, for example, is an incredibly versatile sustainable building material, known for its strength. It grows quickly with minimal environmental impact, requiring little water or pesticides, making it a renewable resource for construction. Hemp can be used in various forms, such as hempcrete, a lightweight, insulating material that is both carbon-negative and highly durable.
Mycelium, the fine, root-like fibers of fungi that grow beneath the soil, can be dried and used to create a strong, water-, mold-, and fire-resistant building material.
Whether used alongside traditional materials or on their own, these cutting-edge sustainable building materials help reduce the carbon footprint—both in production and within the home—while enhancing air quality, acoustics, and the overall indoor environment.
Water Conservation
Imagine for just a moment, that your home is a living organism. Aside from being a shelter with outer surfaces prone to wear and tear, the home requires: energy to run it, water, and the disposal of waste.
Water conservation is becoming an increasingly pressing challenge, driven by the limited availability of freshwater sources and the complexities involved in treating and recycling wastewater. From bathrooms to exterior sprinkler systems, the average home consumes 300+ gallons of water per day, and at ever-increasing costs.
Starting with the basics, significant improvements can be made by utilizing “low-flow” toilets and shower systems. On average, low-flow upgrades save a household nearly 12,500 gallons of water per year.
A large amount of our water is wasted waiting for the hot water to “kick in.” Other advances in technology have spurred the use of Water Heater Recirculation Systems, which allow for hot water to remain directly at the tap without the cold water waste.
Another home innovation in water sustainability is a system that makes use of the home’s “greywater.” These loop systems take wastewater from sinks, baths, and washers, and recirculates them to be used in the home’s toilets and outdoor irrigation systems. Greywater systems can save upwards of 50,000 gallons of water per year.
Heat Pumps
With the unpredictability of rising and falling temperatures comes the unpredictability of your home energy needs, as well as the associated costs. Lowering our carbon footprint requires a seismic shift away from the traditional use of gas boilers and the environmental issues associated with producing natural gas and heating oil.
The demand for Heat Pumps is currently trending, and while somewhat of a misnomer, Heat Pumps are also responsible for the cooling needs of your home. A versatile system for year-round temperature control, the heat pump works like an air conditioner in the summer by transferring heat from indoors to outdoors, and reversing the process in winter to bring warmth inside.
Creative Solar Applications for Sustainable Living
We used to think of solar panels as big, chunky obstructions that detracted from the beauty of a home. However, the future of solar energy is incredibly bright. With home innovations like solar shingles and solar windows, solar energy is becoming more discrete than ever.
Solar windows use a transparent photovoltaic glaze to convert sunlight into electricity without obstructing your view, offering a simple upgrade without needing new installations.Thin-film solar panels are another exciting technology, offering a flexible and affordable option for solar integration. These lightweight panels can seamlessly blend into surfaces like roofs and walls, providing an efficient and modern solution without disrupting your home’s aesthetic.
Solar paint, another game-changer on the horizon, will allow everyday surfaces like walls, roofs, and even roads to capture and convert solar energy. With advancements like photovoltaic and perovskite-based paints, this technology could soon make solar power more accessible and especially discreet.
Now is the perfect time to consider solar for your home. With various rebates and incentives available, the upfront costs are more manageable than ever, making it easier to invest in sustainable energy solutions that save you money in the long run.
The Internet of Things
Smart home innovations, powered by the Internet of Things (IoT), are revolutionizing modern living by offering greater energy efficiency, convenience, and sustainability. By integrating devices like smart thermostats, energy monitors, and automated lighting systems, homeowners can significantly reduce energy consumption, lower utility bills, and minimize their carbon footprint.
While debate over “too much connectivity” with all home appliances and devices detracts from the idea of a traditional home, the innovation of smart device connectivity at the fundamental level, allows homeowners to specify their comfort parameters, thereby allowing for technology to monitor and control home temperatures based on external and other factors.
Take the lead in sustainable living by upgrading your home with the latest in eco-friendly technologies and modern innovations. By making these upgrades, you’ll not only increase your Pittsburgh home’s value and comfort, but you’ll also be contributing to a greener future. Don’t wait for tomorrow—contact Master Remodelers today and start building the home of the future, today.
