So, you want to build a house and make it green? Here at Brock Builders, we know all the ins and outs of what makes a home sustainable for your Asheville home design, and we’re happy to point you in the right direction!

First, let’s define what a sustainable home is. We consider a
home to be sustainable or “green” when it is built in a way
that offers respect to natural resources, utilizes water and energy in optimal ways, and has efficient appliances and structural materials. Here are four different types of homes that qualify, though there are definitely more.

Tiny Homes

Tiny houses definitely tick the efficiency box for our definition of sustainable homes, as they are usually only 100-400 square feet. Since they are so small, they are easily heated and cooled, and the energy per square foot is utilized in an extremely efficient way. The environmental impact is also lessened as they simply require fewer materials to build. They don’t work for everyone, but for those interested in a minimalist lifestyle, it’s hard to beat a tiny home. Also, your home might be tiny, but that doesn’t mean your outdoor space has to be!

Shipping Container Homes

A step up from your run of the mill tiny home is to make a shipping container home. There are tons and tons of old and unused shipping containers that are difficult to dispose of. One great way to upcycle them is to convert them into livable space.

Not only would it feel satisfying to build your home out of recycled materials, but you’d also get the added benefit of being able to be mobile. After all, these containers were designed to be moved, so the sky’s the limit!

Earthships

Ok, those are well and good. But, if what you want is a true off-the-grid experience, look no further than Earthships. These homes are designed to sustain themselves with no grid or municipal supply of any kind.

That doesn’t, however, mean they don’t come without modern amenities and conveniences. Whether by use of solar energy, novel structural design, or other energy saving or producing capacities, these homes are designed to be islands in the seas of gridless life.

Still, keep in mind that they are much more expensive to build than the previous examples, though they come with a bit more security and flair to compensate.

Passive Houses

There are a lot of ways to create houses that utilize resources more efficiently. Passive houses are given their names because they utilize efficient structural and infrastructural design to have a high efficiency utilization of resources.

These homes aim to use as little electricity as possible. To achieve this, the design includes high-performance insulation, natural ventilation systems, and good ol’ fashioned air circulation. This concept takes modern home building to the extreme, creating highly sealed and insulated environments, which can cost a little more, but ultimately make utility bills something you would never need to worry about. Many of these homes also incorporate solar panels and gain what electricity they need from the sun.

While these are only a few of the many green building options available to you, they are some of the most common options that people consider. Give us a call if you need tips on how to go green with your next custom home design!