Green Living in Waco: Sustainable Home Design & Building Practices

There are many things to consider when building a new home, including its sustainability. A sustainable home design means that it uses the least energy and has a smaller environmental impact.

At Jim Bland Construction, we understand the principles that go into sustainable home design, and we’ve created this guide to help you make the right decisions when building a new home.

Design for Natural Light & Heat

When building your new home, consider the orientation of the house in relation to the sun. After all, Waco, Texas, gets about 230 days of sunshine yearly, so you might as well maximize that natural light.

Or, if you’re concerned about overheating your home, you can use trees and other greenery to help block some of the sunlight from your windows, helping to cool your home.

If you want to ensure you have a warmer home, come winter, install windows that face south to maximize your winter sunlight.

Shrink Your Square Footage

Shrinking your footprint is a great way to think about sustainable home design. Smaller homes are much more efficient in terms of heating, cooling, and the amount of materials needed to build them.

Smaller homes are less wasteful, so when building a new construction home, consider what you really need versus what you want in a home. This can help you design a smaller and more efficient home that still works for your family.

Plan an Efficient Layout

The layout of your home affects its sustainability. A wide, spread-out home will naturally lose more energy and be less efficient than a compact home.

However, if you need the space, consider building taller than wider, which can be more efficient. Round and cube-shaped homes are the most efficient shapes for a home.

Use Local Materials

When designing and building your sustainable home in Waco, Texas, consider using local materials rather than importing from other locations. This reduces the need for shipping and, thereby, is more efficient.

Explore what local materials exist and consider using those materials for your home to maximize efficiency.

Consider Recycled Materials

Another way to focus on sustainable home design is to use recycled materials. Recycled wood and found materials are perfect for creating a cozy home in Waco. But more than wood can be recycled and used in the construction of your home.

Some other options include:

• Recycled glass for countertops

• Steel made from recycled metals

• Reclaimed bricks

• Roof shingles made of recycled materials

You can also reduce waste by asking your building company to recycle materials during construction.

Include Essential Insulation

Insulating your home is essential for sustainable home design. From your attic to the floors, you can include many types of insulation in your home.

All of it will help reduce heating and cooling costs by keeping your home at the desired temperature. Less energy loss through your walls and roof means less money wasted on energy bills.

Invest in Quality Windows & Doors

Choosing the right windows and doors can help you build a sustainable home. All windows and doors need proper weatherstripping, as they are the weak points for air leakage.

After choosing the best energy-efficient windows, ensure they’re installed correctly with proper air sealing to ensure maximum efficiency.

Choose Energy-Saving Appliances

When stocking your home with essential appliances, consider buying Energy Star-rated appliances.

Kitchen appliances tend to use a lot of energy, so choosing the most efficient ones will save you money and create a more sustainable home design.

Maximize Your Waco Home’s Efficiency With Jim Bland Construction

If you are located in Waco, Texas, or are looking to build in Waco, Jim Bland Construction can help. Our premiere design and build teams are dedicated to helping you create the home of your dreams, all while maintaining sustainability.

Our company has over 50 years of home-building experience and always strives to use innovative designs and quality craftsmanship. We are always more than happy to answer your custom home questions.

For more information about our sustainable home designs, give us a call at 254-772-6508 or send us a message online. We’d love to help you on your sustainable home design journey!