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12 Pros Share the Top Sustainable Features They’re Using
Design, building and landscape pros discuss the ways they’re creating comfortable, efficient and eco-friendly homes
Many people would like to live more sustainably at home but don’t know where to begin. Which home features should you consider to cut energy use, reduce your carbon footprint and help the environment? To provide guidance, we spoke with 12 pros on Houzz, who shared the features and systems their firms repeatedly use to have the biggest impact on sustainability. These architects, builders, interior designers and landscape designers also discussed the sustainability solutions they’re most excited about.
2. Jordan Goldman, engineering principal, ZeroEnergy Design, Boston
Sustainable features his firm uses. “Our main focus for sustainability is reducing the carbon footprint of our buildings. [That applies to] both operational carbon — due to the energy demand — and the embodied carbon — due to the materials involved in the project’s construction,” Jordan Goldman says.
“To reduce operational carbon, we emphasize an exceptionally well-insulated envelope, efficient systems and renewable energy.” Goldman says. “To reduce embodied carbon, we try to avoid or minimize the use of materials like concrete, steel and foam, since they typically have an outsized contribution to the overall embodied carbon. To reduce both operational and embodied carbon, we avoid designing oversized houses and buildings.”
Sustainable solutions he’s excited about. “Over the last couple of years, we’ve shifted from using rigid foam [insulation] to products like wood fiberboard — made from compressed sawdust, diverting the material from the waste stream — and rigid cork — made from harvesting cork trees in a process that doesn’t harm the rest of the tree. Both products are considered to be carbon storers — that is, negative embodied carbon — so they’re much more environmentally friendly than rigid foam, which has significant embodied carbon,” Goldman says.
Find architects who specialize in eco-friendly projects
Sustainable features his firm uses. “Our main focus for sustainability is reducing the carbon footprint of our buildings. [That applies to] both operational carbon — due to the energy demand — and the embodied carbon — due to the materials involved in the project’s construction,” Jordan Goldman says.
“To reduce operational carbon, we emphasize an exceptionally well-insulated envelope, efficient systems and renewable energy.” Goldman says. “To reduce embodied carbon, we try to avoid or minimize the use of materials like concrete, steel and foam, since they typically have an outsized contribution to the overall embodied carbon. To reduce both operational and embodied carbon, we avoid designing oversized houses and buildings.”
Sustainable solutions he’s excited about. “Over the last couple of years, we’ve shifted from using rigid foam [insulation] to products like wood fiberboard — made from compressed sawdust, diverting the material from the waste stream — and rigid cork — made from harvesting cork trees in a process that doesn’t harm the rest of the tree. Both products are considered to be carbon storers — that is, negative embodied carbon — so they’re much more environmentally friendly than rigid foam, which has significant embodied carbon,” Goldman says.
Find architects who specialize in eco-friendly projects
3. Lee Armillei, principal, Athyrium Design, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania
Sustainable features her firm uses. “Using native plants and selecting the right plant for the right spot may have the farthest-reaching impact in my designs,” Lee Armillei says. “It’s no secret that traditional landscapes are maintenance-heavy. By selecting plants that are suitable for the site — meaning planning for the mature size of the species, matching the plant’s water needs to the site’s conditions and thinking about sun [and] shade conditions both now and as the landscape matures — I am reducing the need for future inputs into the landscape.”
Sustainable solutions she’s excited about. “I’m really excited to actively collect and reuse rainwater through the RainXchange rainwater harvest system. I’ve always managed rainwater in my designs by infiltrating it back into the soil on-site, helping recharge the groundwater and keeping runoff and pollutants out of our local streams. I think on certain sites, harvesting and showcasing the collected rainwater will add beauty and interest while still achieving my sustainability goals,” Armillei says.
Tip: Before you purchase or install a rainwater catchment system, be sure to check local laws. Certain states have restrictions on rainwater harvesting.
12 Sustainable Gardening Ideas From Landscape Design Pros
Sustainable features her firm uses. “Using native plants and selecting the right plant for the right spot may have the farthest-reaching impact in my designs,” Lee Armillei says. “It’s no secret that traditional landscapes are maintenance-heavy. By selecting plants that are suitable for the site — meaning planning for the mature size of the species, matching the plant’s water needs to the site’s conditions and thinking about sun [and] shade conditions both now and as the landscape matures — I am reducing the need for future inputs into the landscape.”
Sustainable solutions she’s excited about. “I’m really excited to actively collect and reuse rainwater through the RainXchange rainwater harvest system. I’ve always managed rainwater in my designs by infiltrating it back into the soil on-site, helping recharge the groundwater and keeping runoff and pollutants out of our local streams. I think on certain sites, harvesting and showcasing the collected rainwater will add beauty and interest while still achieving my sustainability goals,” Armillei says.
Tip: Before you purchase or install a rainwater catchment system, be sure to check local laws. Certain states have restrictions on rainwater harvesting.
12 Sustainable Gardening Ideas From Landscape Design Pros
4. Ben Welty, sustainability manager, Feldman Architecture, San Francisco
Sustainable features his firm uses. “Mitigating the use of natural gas, especially when used as a fuel source for HVAC and water-heating systems, and replacing it with electric heat pump technology has greatly reduced our projects’ average energy use intensity,” or EUI, Ben Welty says.
Sustainable solutions he’s excited about. “Replacing concrete and steel, the materials that measure highest in embodied carbon, with sustainably sourced wood, a material that sequesters carbon, will have the greatest impact on reducing the overall carbon footprint of our projects,” Welty says.
Not sure where to start on your home project? Learn the basics
Sustainable features his firm uses. “Mitigating the use of natural gas, especially when used as a fuel source for HVAC and water-heating systems, and replacing it with electric heat pump technology has greatly reduced our projects’ average energy use intensity,” or EUI, Ben Welty says.
Sustainable solutions he’s excited about. “Replacing concrete and steel, the materials that measure highest in embodied carbon, with sustainably sourced wood, a material that sequesters carbon, will have the greatest impact on reducing the overall carbon footprint of our projects,” Welty says.
Not sure where to start on your home project? Learn the basics
5. Shawn Kemna, principal architect, Prentiss Balance Wickline Architects, Seattle
Sustainable features his firm uses. “We find the best way to make an impact is to focus on the shell of the house, making it as airtight and insulated as possible. We try to add continuous insulation on the outside of the wall framing whenever possible to reduce the thermal bridging of a typical wall assembly,” Shawn Kemna says.
Sustainable solutions he’s excited about. “We’ve been using a lot of thermally modified woods such as Thermory for decking and siding that achieve the same durability of tropical hardwoods, with a much reduced environmental impact,” Kemna says.
6 Tips for Making Your Remodel or New Build More Sustainable
Sustainable features his firm uses. “We find the best way to make an impact is to focus on the shell of the house, making it as airtight and insulated as possible. We try to add continuous insulation on the outside of the wall framing whenever possible to reduce the thermal bridging of a typical wall assembly,” Shawn Kemna says.
Sustainable solutions he’s excited about. “We’ve been using a lot of thermally modified woods such as Thermory for decking and siding that achieve the same durability of tropical hardwoods, with a much reduced environmental impact,” Kemna says.
6 Tips for Making Your Remodel or New Build More Sustainable
6. Rachael Shuler, construction division design and sales manager, Environmental Designs, Henderson, Colorado
Sustainable features her firm uses. “Efficient irrigation is huge. In Colorado, we can’t plant anything — even native plants — without irrigation,” Rachael Shuler says. “Creating the most efficient systems is one of our best tools — rotary nozzles that have much better coverage and less evaporation and smart controllers that allow users to control their irrigation from anywhere and use the weather to predict watering. This is measured in water savings and healthy landscapes.
“We also love to reuse materials when we can. [We’ll] repurpose an old flagstone patio into a stepper path or make bed edging out of brick removed from the house during a remodel. This is measured in cost savings and less material being taken to the landfill,” Shuler says.
Sustainable solutions she’s excited about. “We are loving alternative lawns right now. Kentucky bluegrass is beautiful, but keeping it green uses a ton of water. We have done several projects with thyme as the lawn very successfully. We are really excited to try clover and Tahoma 31 Bermuda grass this coming season,” Shuler says.
Sustainable features her firm uses. “Efficient irrigation is huge. In Colorado, we can’t plant anything — even native plants — without irrigation,” Rachael Shuler says. “Creating the most efficient systems is one of our best tools — rotary nozzles that have much better coverage and less evaporation and smart controllers that allow users to control their irrigation from anywhere and use the weather to predict watering. This is measured in water savings and healthy landscapes.
“We also love to reuse materials when we can. [We’ll] repurpose an old flagstone patio into a stepper path or make bed edging out of brick removed from the house during a remodel. This is measured in cost savings and less material being taken to the landfill,” Shuler says.
Sustainable solutions she’s excited about. “We are loving alternative lawns right now. Kentucky bluegrass is beautiful, but keeping it green uses a ton of water. We have done several projects with thyme as the lawn very successfully. We are really excited to try clover and Tahoma 31 Bermuda grass this coming season,” Shuler says.
7. Michael Trolle, co-founder and principal, BPC Green Builders, Ridgefield, Connecticut
Sustainable features his firm uses. “For the longest time, we’ve put the most focus on energy efficiency. Now we focus equally on embodied carbon. Air quality and occupant health are also increasing concerns,” Michael Trolle says. “For measuring the quality of our work, we have always used third-party certifications, including Passive House, LEED for Homes, Zero Energy Ready Home, Indoor airPLUS, WaterSense, etc. These days we are also using the new BEAM estimator to calculate embodied carbon.”
Sustainable solutions he’s excited about. “Croft carbon-sequestering panels are one. Another is CarbiCrete cement-free, carbon-negative concrete,” Trolle says.
Sustainable features his firm uses. “For the longest time, we’ve put the most focus on energy efficiency. Now we focus equally on embodied carbon. Air quality and occupant health are also increasing concerns,” Michael Trolle says. “For measuring the quality of our work, we have always used third-party certifications, including Passive House, LEED for Homes, Zero Energy Ready Home, Indoor airPLUS, WaterSense, etc. These days we are also using the new BEAM estimator to calculate embodied carbon.”
Sustainable solutions he’s excited about. “Croft carbon-sequestering panels are one. Another is CarbiCrete cement-free, carbon-negative concrete,” Trolle says.
8. Steve Meyer, owner, Meyer Design, Naperville, Illinois
Sustainable features his firm uses. “We use a variety of techniques to make our homes more energy-efficient, including hybrid insulation systems [which incorporate] air sealing and high R-values [measurement of the insulation’s ability to resist heat flow] of closed cell foam with the environmentally conscious use of cellulose insulation,” Steve Meyer says. They also incorporate passive home design, use energy-efficient lighting and choose sustainable materials. “Sustainable materials are those that are renewable, reusable or low-impact to our environment,” Meyer says.
Sustainable solutions he’s excited about. “We love to reclaim some of the existing materials from the original build to reuse throughout the new design,” Meyer says. “Framing and structural elements are often difficult to reuse,” he says, but using engineered wood and composite products helps minimize a project’s environmental impact.
Sustainable features his firm uses. “We use a variety of techniques to make our homes more energy-efficient, including hybrid insulation systems [which incorporate] air sealing and high R-values [measurement of the insulation’s ability to resist heat flow] of closed cell foam with the environmentally conscious use of cellulose insulation,” Steve Meyer says. They also incorporate passive home design, use energy-efficient lighting and choose sustainable materials. “Sustainable materials are those that are renewable, reusable or low-impact to our environment,” Meyer says.
Sustainable solutions he’s excited about. “We love to reclaim some of the existing materials from the original build to reuse throughout the new design,” Meyer says. “Framing and structural elements are often difficult to reuse,” he says, but using engineered wood and composite products helps minimize a project’s environmental impact.
9. Anthony Laney, founding partner, Laney LA, Hermosa Beach, California
Sustainable features his firm uses. “As an alternative to traditional air conditioning, we prefer energy-recovery ventilator [ERV] systems, which dehumidify the air and pull fresh air from the coolest rooms in the home,” Anthony Laney says. Other high-impact energy-saving features the company uses in its projects include super-insulated roofs for unwanted heat gain, solar panels, hydronic floor heaters and geothermal technology.
Sustainable solutions he’s excited about. “We are currently designing homes that deploy greywater systems — recycling shower and laundry water to be used to irrigate the gardens,” Laney says. “We are also researching atmospheric water harvesting, to generate fresh water from the moist coastal night air.”
Sustainable Home Solutions to Consider for Your Next Project
Sustainable features his firm uses. “As an alternative to traditional air conditioning, we prefer energy-recovery ventilator [ERV] systems, which dehumidify the air and pull fresh air from the coolest rooms in the home,” Anthony Laney says. Other high-impact energy-saving features the company uses in its projects include super-insulated roofs for unwanted heat gain, solar panels, hydronic floor heaters and geothermal technology.
Sustainable solutions he’s excited about. “We are currently designing homes that deploy greywater systems — recycling shower and laundry water to be used to irrigate the gardens,” Laney says. “We are also researching atmospheric water harvesting, to generate fresh water from the moist coastal night air.”
Sustainable Home Solutions to Consider for Your Next Project
10. Deborah Gliksman, principal, Urban Oasis Landscape Design, Los Angeles
Sustainable features her firm uses. Water is precious in California, “so I try to capture water in every project that I can and also reduce or eliminate traditional grass lawns,” Deborah Gliksman says. Some water districts — including in Los Angeles — have even added financial incentives for homeowners choosing to lose their lawns.
Sustainable solutions she’s excited about. “I’m really excited about implementing the process known as hügelkultur,” Gliksman says. The technique, which originated in Europe, involves mounding logs, branches, leaves and other organic matter to form raised beds and topping them with compost and soil. As the materials break down, you’re left with nutrient- and moisture-rich soil. The practice is especially useful if trees are removed during construction, Gliksman says, because you’re able to reuse the trees on site. “I’ve built my first one of these hügelkulturs but look forward to creating more in future projects,” she says.
7 Landscape Design Ideas to Replace a Traditional Lawn
Sustainable features her firm uses. Water is precious in California, “so I try to capture water in every project that I can and also reduce or eliminate traditional grass lawns,” Deborah Gliksman says. Some water districts — including in Los Angeles — have even added financial incentives for homeowners choosing to lose their lawns.
Sustainable solutions she’s excited about. “I’m really excited about implementing the process known as hügelkultur,” Gliksman says. The technique, which originated in Europe, involves mounding logs, branches, leaves and other organic matter to form raised beds and topping them with compost and soil. As the materials break down, you’re left with nutrient- and moisture-rich soil. The practice is especially useful if trees are removed during construction, Gliksman says, because you’re able to reuse the trees on site. “I’ve built my first one of these hügelkulturs but look forward to creating more in future projects,” she says.
7 Landscape Design Ideas to Replace a Traditional Lawn
11. Wayne Turett, founder and principal, The Turett Collaborative, New York
Sustainable features his firm uses. “The sustainable features we implement that carry the greatest impact are [energy-recovery ventilators] ERVs, which are ventilation devices that help improve indoor air quality and eliminate the need for excessive heating and cooling,” Wayne Turett says. “An ERV helps to cycle in fresh filtered air and dispose of old, stale air, which keeps indoor spaces temperate and with improved air circulation.” This is especially useful during allergy season, he says, as the system removes pollutants, contaminants, allergens, mold, dust particles and other harmful substances from the air.
Sustainable solutions he’s excited about. “In 2018 I completed construction on a passive-inspired house in Long Island, New York [shown here]. This high-efficiency standard of building requires the use of many sustainable features and is one of the most involved types of sustainable construction and design,” Turett says. “While we do make use of most of the technology and materials available to us, we love hearing from new brands who reach out with new innovations and material types.”
Sustainable features his firm uses. “The sustainable features we implement that carry the greatest impact are [energy-recovery ventilators] ERVs, which are ventilation devices that help improve indoor air quality and eliminate the need for excessive heating and cooling,” Wayne Turett says. “An ERV helps to cycle in fresh filtered air and dispose of old, stale air, which keeps indoor spaces temperate and with improved air circulation.” This is especially useful during allergy season, he says, as the system removes pollutants, contaminants, allergens, mold, dust particles and other harmful substances from the air.
Sustainable solutions he’s excited about. “In 2018 I completed construction on a passive-inspired house in Long Island, New York [shown here]. This high-efficiency standard of building requires the use of many sustainable features and is one of the most involved types of sustainable construction and design,” Turett says. “While we do make use of most of the technology and materials available to us, we love hearing from new brands who reach out with new innovations and material types.”
12. Carl Christianson, president, G. Christianson Construction, Corvallis, Oregon
Sustainable features his firm uses. “Most of our sustainability efforts are on energy savings. I would say the biggest thing we’ve been doing recently is the AeroBarrier system,” Carl Christianson says, as it’s an effective and affordable way to increase energy savings and create a more airtight home. “You’ll have to put in a fresh air system, but that’s a plus for air quality and comfort. We’ve been doing that in all of our new projects and major remodels.”
Sustainable solutions he’s excited about. “I’m trying to pay a lot more attention to how much concrete we’re putting into our projects,” Christianson says. “We’ve been using Diamond Pier foundation systems instead of pouring giant concrete slab foundations where we can.” In a recent project, for example, they were able to swap out 15 cubic yards of concrete for eight diamond piers, which use significantly less concrete. “That was a big reduction in carbon emissions for that project,” Christianson says.
Tell us: Which sustainable features have you incorporated into your home? Please share in the Comments.
More on Houzz
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Browse millions of photos for inspiration
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Sustainable features his firm uses. “Most of our sustainability efforts are on energy savings. I would say the biggest thing we’ve been doing recently is the AeroBarrier system,” Carl Christianson says, as it’s an effective and affordable way to increase energy savings and create a more airtight home. “You’ll have to put in a fresh air system, but that’s a plus for air quality and comfort. We’ve been doing that in all of our new projects and major remodels.”
Sustainable solutions he’s excited about. “I’m trying to pay a lot more attention to how much concrete we’re putting into our projects,” Christianson says. “We’ve been using Diamond Pier foundation systems instead of pouring giant concrete slab foundations where we can.” In a recent project, for example, they were able to swap out 15 cubic yards of concrete for eight diamond piers, which use significantly less concrete. “That was a big reduction in carbon emissions for that project,” Christianson says.
Tell us: Which sustainable features have you incorporated into your home? Please share in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read more stories
Browse millions of photos for inspiration
Find a home professional
Shop for products
Sustainable features her firm uses. “A smart thermostat can truly reduce heating and cooling costs in a home, especially if you’re attentive to teaching it and using settings that are eco-friendly. They offer monthly or quarterly usage updates and previous-year comparisons that help you gauge your usage and savings,” says Laura Freeman, who is a WELL-accredited professional and a LEED Green Associate.
Freeman uses tankless water heaters in her projects to reduce water consumption. “[They negate] the need to let the faucet run until it gets hot, and the heaters maintain a certain water temperature so that the system doesn’t have to expend as much energy going from ice-cold water to hot for dishes or a shower,” she says.
Sustainable solutions she’s excited about. “I am so excited to see an uptick in vintage and repurposed furnishings. As a sustainable practice, it’s always better to upcycle a piece of furniture with new upholstery, hardware or paint than to throw it out and buy new,” Freeman says. “Choosing fabric with some recycled content and paint or stain with low volatile organic compounds — VOCs that off-gas — is ideal.”