How To Build A Self-Sufficient Modular Home

People who live in green houses don’t have to throw themselves at the mercy of old-school housing standards, but what they should do is show an additional degree of forethought and care when designing their homes. ​​​

We are living in the era when environmental safety and sustainability have become a norm, but it still doesn’t mean just about every feature advertised as eco-friendly is truly worth its weight in cash. To stay on the green side of architectural design, eco-minded DIY home builders should be very careful when selecting the hardware and amenities they intend to use to put together a self-sufficient modular home

In case you’re ready to settle for an average pre-fabricated home, you can stop reading now – but if you want to build yourself an eco-safe modular nest but aren’t sure how to go about it and which housing features provide highest return on investment, you may find the tips below useful.

Without readily usable fuel, a home can be a pretty grim and uncomfortable place to be, which is why power supply should be your first concern once you decide to build a self-sufficient nest.

When it comes to energy that fits the sustainable bill, you can choose between solar panels and wind turbines depending on your total construction budget and housing requirements. As a rule, solar power is the most popular type of alternative fuel available to DIY homebuilders nowadays and it’s also highly cost-efficient since it allows you to generate surplus power and sell it into the grid.

Standalone wind turbines, on the other hand, are pretty costly and their installation usually requires special zoning permits, which makes them a better option for homeowners who need a considerably higher energy output.

Another aspect you should take into account when planning an eco-friendly modular home, the heating and cooling system should be compatible with the alternative power of your preference.

If you’re set on peak energy savings and maximum environmental benefits, though, it would be a great idea to combine eco-friendly HVAC with other green housing features such as double- or triple-glazed windows, state-of-the-art wall, floor, and ceiling insulation, and first-rate aluminum façade cladding.

Also, it’d be a good idea to zone your home and close off areas that don’t need heating or cooling on a 24/7 basis and thus minimize waste of energy. For instance, you can use sliding doors or heavy drapes as mobile dividers that will allow you to make energy savings and achieve superior visual effect at the same time.

Going 100% off the grid with H2O supply is a courageous call but it’s highly feasible if you handle it with due care. To get a better image of the scope of work and resources required for switching to self-sustainable water supply, you should draw up a framework estimate of your household’s water expenditure on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis and use it as a yardstick when selecting the tank, filter, and other hardware required for rainwater harvesting.

Once you’ve selected the right green equipment, you should have it installed by a professional plumber to avoid potential damage and costly complications later. If you don’t mind spending an extra buck, you can round off the rainwater harvesting gear with a greywater recycling system you’ll use to collect H2O for clothes washing, garden watering, and toilet flushing purposes.

Well, this all might seem like a lot of work, but if you harvest rainwater you get plenty of benefits. For example, you will greatly reduce your water bills, you will provide your home with an alternative supply of drinking water and you will help your garden stay green and healthy.

Plus, the local flooding and scouring of creeks will be reduced, because of the decreased stormwater runoff.

An average American produces as many as 4.4 pounds of garbage a day, and unless something changes soon, we’ll soon be living in the midst of a genuine landfill. Unfortunately, that’s not all still: as time goes by, hazardous substances are beginning to account for more and more of the waste created by standard households.

The good news is you can help save the planet with the help of eco-safe septic systems, composting toilets, and greywater treatment units which you’ll add to the set of green amenities of your self-sufficient modular home.

For a smart bonus, you can try waste separation and recycling: apart from allowing you to do a favor to Mother Earth, waste sorting can earn you a bit of cash on the side if you venture to sell certain waste types to the local waste and recycling authority.

Ready to build your self-sustainable modular home from scratch? Feel free to use the tips listed above to assemble the green house of your dreams and help make the world a better and safer place for both yourself and the generations to come. Good luck!