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25 ECO-FRIENDLY HOME IDEAS FOR LIVING IN YOUR GREENER SAFER HOUSE One big lesson is that living in an eco-friendly home needs to be a priority. The Earth is a precious resource that keeps us all alive and nourished, but it is also something we take for granted. Many people believe that they cannot make a difference, and that simply is not the case. With small changes, big impacts are made. The best part is that you will reap rewards for doing so, such as saving money, living a better quality of life, and learning valuable skills that we are important. The fun part about making these changes is that you’ll see shifts in other areas of your life, too! So you aren’t just benefiting the Earth, but also other areas of you and your family’s lives. 25 Eco-Friendly Home Improvement Ideas Start with the changes you can make, get comfortable with them, then ask yourself what else you can change. 1 // Swap single use items for better options Paper towels for cloth napkins Cotton pads/balls for cotton rounds Plastic straws for stainless/metal straws Water bottles for reusable bottles Reusable Glass & Aluminum jars with lids instead of plastic containers Use Baskets & Paper & Wood Boxes instead of plastic storage Each of these swaps save you money & reduce the waste you send to the landfill 2 // More Your Spaces Energy Efficient Swap out thin curtains for thicker, quilted or even room darkening curtains when warmth & darkness Orr cooling in hot weather is desired Replace old glass windows with energy-efficient windows in cold & Hot climates. If there is no budget to replace things seal gaps and insulate windows during very cold and hot weather. Replace air filters regularly Be purposeful with laundry. Wash loads once in cold water & add vinegar to improve ph in water Hang clothes to dry, instead of using your dryer. By hanging your clothes out to dry, you’re decreasing the use of your dryer, which pulls a lot of energy. Line drying your clothes also increase their lifespan, so you are really multiplying the savings with this eco-friendly idea. If you can’t dry your clothes outside, hang them in a well ventilated, sunny area inside to dry. 3 // Insulate your home If your home isn’t insulated properly, you could be losing a lot of money and wasting a lot of energy. With proper insulation, the energy-efficiency of your home increases significantly. You save energy and money. This does come with an upfront investment, but it pays for itself rather quickly and costs much less than building new. 4 // Renew and mend before replacing Mend clothes with holes or buttons missing Repair broken pieces of furniture Freshen something old and tired with a new coat of paint Find a new use for something that no longer works in its current state What if a simple fix is all it needs? What if a new coat of paint will give it a new purpose and life? For things that you cannot mend or repair, such as holy shirts that you do not want your husband going out in public wearing, cut them up into rags to use for cleaning or to rub stain on a piece of furniture. 5 // Swap conventional products for environmentally friendly products Swap harmful cleaning products with non-toxic cleaners Use vinegar and water for cleaning Swap your laundry detergent for a plant-based one Use wool dryer balls in lieu of dryer sheets Use baking soda for the hard to clean jobs in lieu of harmful chemical products Find furniture that uses natural fibers to limit your family’s contact with harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds) Do some research, because there are a TON of products that seem all-natural that really are not. 6 // Unplug unused appliances and keep most on serge switches that can be turned off when appliances are not in use. When you don’t need your appliances, they still need electricity. Besides maybe refrigerators and freezers, Turn them off or unplug them. To ensure you are only pulling energy you need, use serge strips that can turn off when you don’t need the things plugged into it. Unplug anything you’re not using. Whether you have a blow dryer, hair straightener, curling iron, etc., be sure they are unplugged when not in use. Not only can heating tools be dangerous to keep plugged in, they also pull a lot of energy. Other things like a room heater, diffuser, etc. that you may keep plugged in should be unplugged when not in use as well. They pull energy regardless if they are turned on or not. Turn off lights when not in the bathroom and other rooms. This may seem like a no brainer, but I turning off the lights when you aren’t in there isn’t a habit develop this habit. Turning off lights when you leave rooms saves electricity in a major way, as well as extends the life of your lightbulbs, which is also another way to save money. Get tankless hot water or heat pump heaters - Increase your home’s sustainability by installing a tankless hot water heater that provides unlimited hot water.I t only heats up water instantly when needed and doesn’t constantly keep water hot when you don’t need it. Plus, it is smaller, so it takes up far less space! A tankless hot water heater can reduce your water heating costs by up to 50%. 7 // Purchase things that are not packaged in plastic, when possible When it comes to things like produce, opt for plastic-free packaging. Bring your reusable bags. 7 // Recycle and compost. Reducing the trash you send to the landfill is a great way to live more eco-friendly. There are so many things you can recycle and compost, like paper, cardboard, certain plastics, food scraps, etc.Be sure to check with your local recycling centers to see which plastics they collect and other materials you can recycle. For things like paper, cardboard, and food scraps, you can compost them yourself or provide them for a local farmer. COMPOST & make soil. We need it because our rich soils are disappearing. Organic materials do not decompose in a landfill, so reduce how much of it you’re sending to the landfill. 8// Cooking & Preserving & Storing Food- Use a Pressure Cooker for faster cooking and canning- The shorter amount of time you spend cooking means less electricity being used, which saves you money and is better for the environment. This also means that you don’t heat your house up as much, so the air conditioner is running less, too! Use a food dehydrator & smoker to dry and preserve your food - when plentiful food is available in season preserve your favors by drying, canning, smoking and pickling. Have a plentiful pantry organized by categories in a dark room featuring all your favorite foods and drinks and emergency supplies. Especially you homemade preserves & dry goods. It is wise to work up to having at least 3 months of food in reserve in case emergencies might arise. Example List of Emergency Supplies: https://ezprepping.com/3-month-food-supply-guide-to-getting-started/ Store emergency water- Packages of bottled water, gallon jugs of water, or even 55-gallon drums of water (45 gallons of drinking water per adult for 3 months is recommended): See our Water Storage Calculator. Check out our article How to Store Large Amounts of Water: Long Term Water Storage Helpful ideas to add to your 3 month food supply list: Starting with a 2 week food supply and working up to a full 3 month supply of foods and meals that you regularly eat brings a wonderful, relieving peace of mind. A kind of life insurance policy that will keep your family alive and happy. Flour yeast, and baking powder Potatoes Rice Pinto, Black, Garbonzo &r other types of Beans Sugars (Sugar, Brown Sugar, Honey, Powdered Drink Mixes, beer, achohol, etc Canned Fruit and Vegetables (These make great sides to regularly eaten meals) Salt, Soya, Hot Sauces and favorite seasonings and spices Peanut, sesame Butter, etc Soup or broth Pastas & Raman noodles Butters & Oils, especially Olive Pickles & Olives Nuts Jams Vinegars Crackers Tomato sauce & diced canned tomatoes Floor, yeast, and baking powder Dehydrated carrots, corn, beans, peas and other favorite fruits & vegetables Oatmeal Canned & smoked Meats (Tuna, Sardines, Chicken, Beef, etc.) Canned Vegetables (Green beans, peas, corn, tomatoes, etc.) Canned Fruit (Peaches, Apples, Pineapple, Pears, etc.) Powdered & boxed milk Snacks & other foods used (Granola bars, brownie mix, Whatever your family likes!) Include non-food items in your 3 month food storage plan Get a 3 month supply of NECESSITIES such as Water Filters, Laundry & Dish soap medications and pain killers, Basic First Aid Kit, toilet paper, toiletries, cleaning/sanitation supplies, a space heater and firewood an alternative power source, Flashlight, Extra Batteries Candles Duct Tape, Extra Blankets, Extra Warm Clothing, Matches/Lighter/Lighter Fluid, Portable Gas Stove and extra propane canisters, Cooking Pots, etc. Alternative / Emergency Power Sources Solar Panels Propane Generators, etc 9 // Take shorter showers and less often. According to a study done by Boston University, you can save 10 gallons of water just by shorting your shower time by 2 minutes! [source] That means you save water, electricity, and money! This is an easy change that you can do to have a more eco-friendly home. Other studies show its is not necessary and can be unhealthy to bathe every day or more. 10 // Shop secondhand When you choose secondhand shopping over buying new, you are saving resources to make the items. Furniture Vehicles Tools Textiles & Clothing You save all of these resources when you choose a secondhand item. This includes saving on the following resources: water Electricity Transportation [fuel] textiles You save all of these resources when you choose a secondhand item, because the resources have already been used. 11 // Shop locally While this isn’t directly related to inside your home, it is better for a sustainable lifestyle. Supporting local businesses keeps money in the local community. Shopping locally also reduces the amount of resources needed to ship products to the store for you to purchase. Who would you rather support? local small business owner corporations Prefer a local small business owner. That isn’t to say don’t buy bananas from South America, but I do your best to source locally first. 12 // Choose recycled products over new Going back to the point of purchasing secondhand products, you should also choose recycled products over new. Yes, recycled products do use resources to be recreated. However, it is far less than sourcing for new products. 13// Use natural beauty products Beauty products are some of the most toxic things you can have in your home. Switching to natural beauty products needs to be higher up on your list, so that you aren’t poisoning your body or loosing your hair. Example: https://www.target.com/p/native-almond-38-shea-butter-strengthening-shampoo-16-5-fl-oz/-/A-80120270. https://www.byrdie.com/best-natural-shampoos-4586441 Your skin absorbs everything you put on it, so make sure you only use natural products that are actually healthy for your skin. 14 // Use natural cleaning products & personal care products One of the best eco-friendly home swaps you can do is replace conventional cleaners with natural cleaning products. Conventional products are toxic for you to breathe and cleaning with them can do more harm to your health than good. Educate yourself on contents to avoid. Use vinegar and soda as much as possible. Use loofas and cotton wash cloths and natural bristle brushes whenever possible. EXAMPLE PRODUCT SOURCE: https://proteazerowaste.com/collections/all-products 15 // Decorate with houseplants & open doors & windows during good weather -Depending on which houseplants you choose, you can purify the quality of air within your home. This means you are living healthier and have beautiful plants to care for and admire. 16 // Have an edible landscape You can plant anything with available space, which means that the only resources needed to grow food is if you need to water the plant. Did you know that certain flowers are edible? Choose edible flowers like lavender, hibiscus, nasturtiums, pansies, or roses. How fun would it be to create an edible landscape that you can forage as you work in it like a vegetable garden? Enjoy a pretty vine plant? Cucumbers, peas, and pole beans are all great options. Where you can, grow food & change your lawn to an edible garden. 17 // Install solar panels, wind & other alternative independent energies Want to go off the grid? Create your own energy with solar panels! This is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, because you pull energy from the sun versus the grid. Read this post by Energy Sage about the ten benefits of solar energy. 18 // Use natural air fresheners, soaps, shampoos & other skin care products In an eco-friendly home, it is very important to use natural air fresheners. Conventional candles, and stove top simmer recipes are great, but aren’t the best for creating a greener house. Opt for essential oils to diffuse, coconut wax candles with essential oils, and DIY mason jar lamps [to replace stove top simmer recipes]. Aerosol sprays and conventional candles aren’t healthy. Artificial fragrances often contain harmful chemicals and companies are not required to state ingredients within the fragrance due to trademark secrets. By opting for an oil lamp, you still receive the benefits of a simmer recipe without using those resources. EXAMPLES: https://littleseedfarm.com/collections/face-lips/products/3-step-skin-care-set https://littleseedfarm.com/collections/deodorant/products/deodorant-cream-3-scents 19 // Opt for organic fabric bedding and all natural fibers in your home When you choose organic fabric for your bedding and decor, you are giving your bedding and decor another use once it is no longer useful by reusing it in some capacity, then you can recycle or compost it. PLUS, it is much nicer to sleep and live in. Synthetic bedding can only be reused then tossed in the trash and taken to the landfill and often peel and age quickly. 20 // Choose a non-toxic mattress Conventional mattresses are very toxic. They can contain petroleum-based foam and synthetic latex, chemical flame retardants, and vinyl. Instead, you should opt for a non-toxic mattress. Example: Brentwood Home mattress, specifically the Oceano Luxury Hybrid Mattress. The materials used in it include Checkout my favorite mattress by Brentwood Home now!: CertiPUR-US® certified cooling, gel-infused memory foam milk fibers LOTS organic certified cotton and wool sustainably-sourced plant-based Tencel fibers from eucalyptus trees. It is made without chemical or synthetic fiber flame retardants. 21 // Install energy-efficient windows & doors Similar to insulating your home, especially in extreme climates, windows keep your home running efficiently. If you have old, single pane windows, consider replacing them with double pane, energy-efficient windows to prevent inside air getting out and vice versa. 22 // Use VOC-free paint VOC [Volatile Organic Compound] paint is toxic to breathe. It can cause several side effects including headaches and nausea. Opt for VOC-free paint. It is friendlier for the environment and your health.To dive deeper into why you should steer clear of VOC paint, read this article by the EPA. 23 // Buy recycled toilet paper or install a bidet When shopping for recycled toilet paper is to also look for plastic-free wrapped toilet paper. Here is an option from Amazon that is popular and does ship plastic free. 24 // Get a Kindle and purchase digital books and read news online Physical books use a lot of resources to create and store. By opting for ebooks, you can have a library full of books without using the resources physical books need to be created. Many are a fan of physical books, but we can also enjoy the minimalistic options a Kindle provides. If you read a lot of books, you can take advantage of Kindle Unlimited, which actually saves you money compared to purchasing each book in a physical format. Also there are many audio books when having time to read yourself is difficult. 25 // Add ART and personal things that bring meaning to your unique home It’s FUN & REWARDING Choosing a sustainable lifestyle is a commitment, but it doesn’t have to be a burden when you approach it one change at a time. To successfully create an eco-friendly home, you have to be diligent and intentional. The good news is that you get to start with simple swaps and can choose how to navigate a greener house from there. In the end you have a much more delightful and healthy space. It isn’t about doing all the things at once to create an eco-friendly home, but rather doing what you can and continuing to implement changes when you’re ready. Created your space to live more simply and sustainably and consciously. It’s more SATISFYING & MEANINGFUL

According to resent studies, trending aesthetics in Mid- Century modern has increased by 576% on Google searches since last year. Eco-Friendly has increased. Most home owners are increasingly becoming familiar with the benefits of building in a more sustainable manner. The rising costs of energy, construction materials, and everyday maintenance on homes, has motivated us to change the way we build our homes. Earth-Sheltered and natural materials are healthier when integrated into the design of you projects. This design, permit, build team specializes in showing you how to build your more Eco-Friendly project in your preferred style. Benefits of building green: Lower operating costs - Homeowners can receive less expensive utility bills because of energy and water efficiency measures. Up to 70% or more. Increased comfort - Green homes have relatively even temperatures throughout the home, with less outdoor sound penetrations. Improved indoor environmental quality- When designing a green home, designers create construction details to control moisture, select materials that contain fewer chemicals, and design air exchange/filtration systems that can contribute to a healthier indoor environment. Enhanced durability and less maintenance— Green homes incorporate materials and methods that strive to increase the life of the whole house. Longer lasting materials not only require fewer resources for replacement but also reduce maintenance and repair costs. Green homes have landscaping that require less watering, building elements that require less maintenance, and more durable building components that reduce the time needed for upkeep. Increases your property's re-sale value. This Teams Green Building Consultant Services: Sustainable design assessment & recommendations Solar and passive orientation analysis: designing with the sun Green materials, fixtures, and equipment selection Selection of natural and non-toxic materials Coordinate renewable energy systems Designing and detailing for high performance Sustainable Design Assessment & Recommendations: Below are some initial observations and suggestions to enhance the performance of the home. Once I understand the client’s level of commitment to “greening” the home, I can provide more detailed solutions. Initial comments If the home is to be used year round, consider orienting it on an East-West axis to maximize passive solar strategies. The arroyo will create moisture below the floor and will be subject to frost. The floor should be insulated and vapor resistant. The overhang on the west side should be designed to allow winter sun to penetrate into the house while blocking summer sun. Consider operable transom windows at the highest point of the exterior walls to vent hot air during the summer. Large expanse of windows on East side will need to resist cold and wet winter winds. Green Strategies Building layout can be designed to maximize efficiency and minimize material cuts. Design using the material dimensions. Minimize the impact on the arroyo during construction. Consider utilizing prefabricated wall panels which can be transported to the site to reduce construction time on site. Roof can be designed to harvest water for use in toilets and irrigation. Develop strategies to minimize impact upon site during construction. Create landscape design using low maintenance native plants. Constructing a new building requires a lot of materials and resources. How your project is built sustainably and the choices you make in how your project uses and saves energy, water, waste and other resources over time has a large impact on your carbon footprint. This Habitat Design Lab, is the team that assists in planning and permitting and building your projects with years of experience building more sustainable architecture, interiors and landscapes. We make you aware of your sustainable choices and you decide what works best on your project. Contact us when adding sustainable features to your environment and lifestyle is a priority.

With all the magic of Middle-Earth, these innovative hobbit houses appear to be plucked from the pages of The Lord of the Rings. Whether buried beneath the earth, or above, these fascinating homes are far from fictional. Grab your hooded cloak and let's explore the real-life hobbit holes located around the world... #1 - Halfling Hideaway, British Columbia, Canada Surrounded by rolling hills and mountain views, this whimsical home sits in the town of Bridesville in British Columbia. Known as Halfling Hideaway, the home is surrounded by 400 acres of pristine countryside in the Okanagan Highlands, which is ideal for hiking and skiing in the winter months. #2 Many visit The Hobbit House movie set in Matamata, New Zealand: You can opt to take a trip to the place where it all began. Located near Matamata, on New Zealand's North Island, this beautiful landscape is the most famous of all the hobbit holes. This movie set was built for The Lord of the Rings trilogy and covers 14 acres with 44 hobbit homes. The set also has a dedicated gardening team who have planted almost 3,000 native seedlings on the surrounding farmland to maintain biodiversity in and around the area. #4 Earth House Estate - Peter Vetsch / Vetsch Architektur - Dietkon, Switzerland Vetsch is known for his sustainable homes that are sympathetic to nature. The aim of his earth homes is to allow residents to live within the ground, rather than simply on it. The hobbit-worthy housing estate sits in the city of Dietikon and has nine cosy earth-covered homes grouped around an artificial lake. These magical homes could be straight out of the movies with their grass-covered roof, giant arched and round doors. Inside, an abundance of wood, cosy interiors and fireplaces, and ornate decorative elements inspired by Tolkien's world creates an enchanting, yet light modern atmosphere. What Magical Middle-Earth features do you want in your next project? This team has been building Earth-Integrated features into clients' projects for 20 years. We're ready to share all our resources and experience with you to create your ideas more connected to Nature. Contact us when you are ready to begin at BuildEarthShelter@gmail.com I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. Henry David Thoreau The true secret to happiness and meaning lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of our daily lives and building environments around us that nurture our imagination and well-being. We all have a responsibility to build the most beautiful and resilient spaces around us, so we and the generations after us are inspired and supported by what we make. Imagine your best creations and then GO FOR IT!

The Lord of The Rings movie series rocked the film industry in the early 2000s, grossing nearly $3 billion at the box office and winning a total of 17 Oscars – a record the trilogy still holds to this day! Because of these movies popularity we get many requests to plan & build Hobbit inspired dwellings. Our team has advised many on this style, especially vacation rentals. Here are a few examples we like to inspire your project: Examples - Images from the Movie Many of the images for the movie were modeled, but not actually built, though some spaces are open to the public to visit in Matamata, New Zealand. Example #2 - Hobbit's Dream, Virginia, USA Stepping inside, this vacation rental's main living room features a framed map of the Middle-earth and a cosy fireplace. Through the rounded door frame sits the double bedroom and bathroom. Randy ~ Linda / Airbnb “There’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo… and it’s worth fighting for.”– Sam Example # 3 - Several architects have creates Hobbit inspired projects: These are but a few of the Hobbit architecture we like. We'll share a few more and then share additional examples on future blogs. When you wish to start your project contact us and share your ideas. First consultations are free. Example #4 - A DIY Hobbit project in Simondale, Wales: A true DIY! These owners built with salvaged materials & their own labor. Spent only about $4000 in cash. Humble, unique and rustic, yet quite comfortable. Example #5 - Sketching & Modeling Hobbit Projects Our team of architects, designers, 3D modelers, drafters, interior designers, engineers and builders help you create your ideas, then we develop the construction documents and permitting application packages needed so you can permit and build your ideas. Contact us when ready to build your earth-sheltered, underground and above projects. DREAM BIG! How do you want to live? Start Now. It takes a year or more to plan & permit most custom builds, so best to start your planning soon. Contact us at BuildEarthShelter@gmail.com

Many of our clients seek to build projects that are more sustainable and helps them become more self-reliant. They want a lifestyle the better reflects their values. This is the primary focus of our Design + Permit + Build Team. Fire Resistant Concrete & Steel projects are perfect for all seasons and offers far more protection. This team helps you plan and permit and build what you want. Ask yourself,"What is most important to me?" Then make a list of what you want your life to look like. This often starts with where and how you live. START NOW. Share your ideas with us and we are happy to explain the choices available and even help locate land if you do not yet have a building site. Contact us for a free consult to get started. What does self sufficiency and resilience mean to you? BuildEarthShelter@gmail.com When looking for an environment that promotes a less consuming and wholesome lifestyle and creates better opportunities to share with your family and friends, new-construction homes have an undeniable allure. A new house can be designed exactly for your needs and priorities without the problems, that might need fixed later when buying an older building. Plus, when planned with greener features, it INCREASES Your Fire & Disaster Protection and DECREASES Your Utility Costs. Whatever your project style or size, we are here to support you. Offering over 20 years of experience in how to design, permit, build, waterproof, insulate custom underground and above projects from preliminary planning, engineering and local permitting to the interior and landscape design of your project. Buildings with a lower energy footprint that lasts for generations. Ask yourself,"How do I really want to live?" Make that list and start your journey towards a more self-reliant and rewarding future. This team is here when you are ready to GO FOR IT!

Typically only a few people are qualified to act as their own general contractor (GC) so our team offers construction consulting support when you wish to save on your overall build. Most general contractors charge between 15 % to 20 % of the overall cost of construction, and this includes on materials and sub-contractor's labor. It's a fee that amateur home-builders often find worthwhile, especially if they require a lot of their time to work at another job. A few things to consider when deciding what works best for you: Pros: 1. Can save building costs by reducing overall cost by 10 to 25 percent 2. Gives owner more control of timing, especially if the build is an open-ended project 3. Allows making design adjustments during the build without charged penalty fees. 4. Gives owners flexibility in shopping and purchasing the materials they like most. Cons: 1. Not knowing the GC's network of subcontractors. 2. No personal experience with building and construction 3. Harder to receive wholesale discounts 4. Little know-how of coordinating the construction steps. Tip: LANDSCAPING can be an area where owners can save money, but remember to have a cash allowance for landscaping in your budget. Nothing more disappointing than a project without curb appeal. + Our experienced Design/Permit/Build Team can assist you with estimating & budgeting for your WHOLE project. REMEMBER TO PLAN & SAVE FOR ART, PLANTS & FURNITURE: There is nothing sadder than a brand new house without a budget to stage your space with at least a few new items to start fresh: New Sofa (or at least slip cover) & Pillows New Potted Plants Newly framed ART A new or freshly cleaned rug that ties your room together. Our experienced design team includes interior designers who can advise on your interior design at reduced costs in YOUR STYLE. Late-stage, post-contract projects can be done by the homeowner rather than by the contractor if arranged in advance. These late-stage projects are better for do-it-yourself work because you do not risk slowing down the house building project: Building patios, pergolas and walkways Planting trees, shrubs, flowers, and grass Painting the house exterior Painting the house interior Adding wallpaper and curtains/shades Contact us when you are ready to start planning your project and save by including DIY projects. Keep in mind it usually takes at least a year to plan and permit your project, so best to start soon. Contact us for a free consult at BuildEarthShelter.com