Residential construction is certainly no exception when it comes to industries that have been changed by the green movement. Altering people’s consumption habits is crucial to protecting the environment and much of this boils down to minimizing waste and excess in the household.

As a result, construction companies have come up with creative solutions to make living spaces more energy efficient. This way, fewer resources are needed for continuous maintenance. Eco-Holdings and ATAS International are examples of companies that engage in these kinds of eco-friendly practices by substituting good design for extra energy usage. Construction Dive looked into these and other companies to compile a list of seven green building projects that can save energy and make homes healthier.

1. Bring peace and comfort to the master bedroom in an energy efficient way.

By employing the services of Environments for Living, home owners can create a set of requirements for their builders to make sure that renovations are done with regards to the environment. A master bedroom constructed with standards set by Environments for Living requires low VOC carpeting, low-E windows that maintain indoor temperatures and an optional acoustics package that keeps the room quiet. 

2. Cool or warm a residence naturally with under-floor ventilation. 

To increase energy efficiency in the home, Eco-Holdings Engineering offers an Under Floor Air Delivery (UFAD) construction project. By placing air ducts between floors, the UFAD system allows air to be channeled into the house through the floor registers. This can make the house 8-10 degrees cooler or warmer than ceiling air delivery.

3. Utilize space, energy and water efficiently in the bathroom by choosing environmentally friendly products.

Each bathroom component has an important role to play in ensuring an environmentally friendly design. Bath Simple offers a range of bathroom products including counter tops, toilets, tiles, bathtubs, shower heads and much more to improve bathroom functionality. Their countertops, for example, are built with a surface that naturally prevents the formation of mold and bacteria for easier cleaning.

4. Create a healthier interior environment by using non-toxic paints.

Benjamin Moore offers a range of paint products that are either low or non-Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) paints. These kinds of paints eliminate the risk of toxic chemicals permeating the interior. Benjamin Moore formulates paints to work in specific environments as well. Aura Bath and Spa, for example, caters to areas with high humidity to resist mildew and maintain a rich color.

5. Build a better kitchen around appliances that are both high in quality and energy efficiency.

Sub-Zero manufactures refrigerators, ovens and stovetops to suit the environmentally sustainable kitchen. Its “smart kitchen” design integrates technology to create a kitchen truly in sync with itself, utilizing a Smart Grid touchscreen to monitor energy consumption and highly customizable ovens and refrigerators to ensure maximum efficiency.

6. Build roofs that reduce maintenance and household energy bills.

ATAS International offers metal roofing solutions to maintain the durability and efficiency of your roof. “Cool” metal roofing emits thermal energy, allowing the house to remain cooler during the summer. During the winter, the air space between the roofing panel and the deck can be used for extra insulation. ATAS also integrates metal roofs with solar power generation through its ATA-Solar roof system.

7. Use sustainable deck tiles for a low maintenance and eco-friendly deck. 

Ensuring deck tiles are used to their greatest efficiency, Eco Arbor Designs selects top quality wood that is both highly durable and reusable. Eco Arbor Designs also saves wood by using a lower volume of lumber relative to deck size and installing deck tiles over existing surfaces as opposed to demolishing them. An example of their choice wood is Balau, resistant to rot, mildew and any weather condition in North America.

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