Spotlight on Sustainability: How Home Builders Are Minimizing Environmental Impact

This is the first part in a two-part series on how home builders and building product manufacturers are committing to sustainable practices. 

Sustainable and new homes refer to residential buildings that are designed and constructed with a focus on minimizing their environmental impact and promoting sustainable living practices. These homes incorporate features and technologies that reduce energy and water consumption, lower greenhouse gas emissions and promote a healthier living environment for the homeowner.

Sustainability and green building go hand in hand by combining construction and development techniques, materials and designs to minimize a home's impact on the environment. From building methods to the products they install, home builders are adopting a sustainable culture that reduces the impact on the environment and ultimately attracts homebuyers who are conscious about the environment.

Builder practices to reduce environmental impact

Here are some ways builders are reducing their environmental impact when building a new home:

1. Choosing sustainable building sites that have access to public transportation, proximity to parks and green spaces and availability of renewable energy sources.
2. Incorporating passive solar, energy-efficient appliances and high-efficiency insulation.
3. Using sustainable building materials that lower environmental impact like bamboo flooring, recycled steel and locally sourced wood.
4. Installing renewable energy systems such as solar panels or wind turbines that generate clean energy and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
5. Implementing water conservation measures by installing water-efficient fixtures, such as low-flow toilets and showerheads, and implementing rainwater harvesting systems to reduce water consumption.
6. Reducing waste and recycling by ordering only what they need, using prefabricated materials, and properly disposing of construction waste. Recyclable materials such as concrete, steel and wood can be reused or repurposed.
7. Monitoring indoor air quality by selecting materials and finishes that do not contain harmful chemicals or release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air to improve indoor air quality and promote the health of occupants.

HomeSphere builders are part of the change

HomeSphere builders who use sustainable building methods include:

Urban Northwest Builders, based in Vancouver, Washington, incorporates building practices to improve the living environment for the homeowner and reduce their projects' environmental impact. They are committed to offering green products, energy savings and indoor air quality in every home they build.

DeLuca Homes, based in Lanhorne, Pennsylvania, offers highly efficient and creative solutions for eco-conscious homebuyers. Each home is built with a HERS® Rating completed by a third party and they proudly participate in the PECO rebate program that shows 20% energy savings.

McNaughton Homes, based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, is a pioneer in building energy-efficient homes since 1997 and has built hundreds of eco-friendly units in Pennsylvania. They've also won three national energy housing rewards for their work.

There are many builders who are committed to using sustainable building methods in their projects and are taking steps to reduce the environmental impact of building new homes to create a more sustainable living environment. Watch out for our next part on how manufacturers are also committing to sustainable practices.