Eco-friendly living seems to be the buzzword today as people all over the globe are trying to adopt a lifestyle to help combat global warming and save the Earth from its potential dangers. So where does a 'Green Home' fit, in this picture and what does it mean? To start, let me give you a suitable definition.

The Green Building Council of Australia defines a green home as, "a high performing home that is energy and water efficient, has good indoor air quality, uses environmentally sustainable materials and also uses the building site in a sustainable manner."

Hence, a Green Home is environmentally responsible throughout the life cycle of the building. The process begins at the design phase, continuing throughout the construction phase and goes on to include the day to day activities in the running of the home.

So, if you are looking to lead a healthier lifestyle and want to contribute towards making Mother Earth a better pace to live in, what better way to start than building your own home in a green way?

Read on to find out what are the benefits in store for you when you become the owner of a certified Green Home.

1. Reduced energy and water bills - Since the construction of a Green Home begins at the design phase itself, the site is first surveyed to study its topography and what could be the best way to utilize the natural resources available, such as sunlight, air, water and vegetation. Such study can reduce the dependency on additional heating and cooling devices and make the optimum use of water saving materials and products. The final result will be a consequent saving in your energy and water bills.

2. Improved indoor air quality - The materials used in the construction of a Green Home are environment friendly. Some typical examples are, recycled timber, harvested plantation lumber, straw, mud and hemp. A home constructed out of regular building materials may continue to emit harmful gases such as formaldehyde and VOCs (Volatile  Organic Chemicals) well beyond the construction phase which can be a cause for concern for the residents. A green house, on the other hand, uses materials which emit very low or no VOCs which ensures improved indoor air quality.

3. Healthier lifestyle - With a home which has improved air quality, efficient utilization of sunlight and water and eco friendly materials in its very foundation, germs and moulds are like to stay away! You and your family will fall sick less often which will eventually cut down your medical bills.

4. Increased safety and security - Green Homes have higher safety and security standards than regular homes. They are equipped with high performance smoke detectors, high quality gadgets to detect carbon monoxide and radon emissions, foolproof security systems and methods to deliver pesticide and termite treatments.

5. Reduction in maintenance and renovation costs - Since a Green Home is constructed using high quality and durable materials, in the long run it will have reduced maintenance and renovation costs than a traditional home.

6. A certified Green Home is synonymous to a higher performance home - If you have consulted green experts right from the planning phase, your house is bound to be a higher performing home. Some of the perks of consulting green experts are; getting your home tested for potential air and duct leaks at an early stage by third parties, receiving green certifications from approved local green bodies and saving energy during the construction process which usually gets wasted.

7. Higher resale value - Once you have a certified Green Home you are sure to get a higher resale value if you ever plan to sell your house! Nowadays, realtors put down the many advantages of owning a Green Home in their listings because they know that it can be a potential income generating source than a standard home.

8. Financing incentives available - With all the focus on global warming and rooting for a cleaner and safer environment to live in, the concept of Green Homes are pretty much in the limelight these days. Hence, finance and insurance companies have come up with various schemes to lure potential buyers and builders such as offering lower interest rates on mortgages and lower premium options.

9. Promoting the use of eco-friendly products - Now that you have invested in an eco-friendly home, you would obviously want to stick to the whole purpose of owning one by purchasing safe, healthy and organic furnishings and products for its interiors. Your home would then reflect the true spirit of leading a green lifestyle!

10. Greater comfort and enjoyment for your family members - And last but not the least, by owning a Green Home, you provide a safe haven for your family. A cleaner, quieter and safer home, surrounded with plenty of trees and gardens, improved indoor air quality and the most important of all, a peaceful life.

So, if you are looking to buy a house, it would be wise to invest in a Green Home today. You and your family would certainly reap its benefits for years to come.

Photo courtesy:

www.evil-designs.com