The term “sustainable home” is quite common at this point in time, but it wasn’t too long ago that most people had never heard of it, let alone had any idea what it really meant.
Sustainable building really made its mark in this country in the 1960s when there was an exodus of people moving to more rural areas away from suburban life. The move meant finding ways to live affordably and conveniently, and so alternative construction methods were explored. These same methods are becoming more and more mainstream as modern families are also looking for cost-efficient and greener ways of living.
Back then, methods like solar heating and cooling, wind, hydroelectric power, water filtration, and composting were something out of a science fiction novel. Today, they are common-sense methods of a sustainable lifestyle that are better on the wallet and the environment.
In fact, the sustainable industry as a whole is booming, even in harsher economic times when other industries are taking a hit. Photovoltaic panels, a fancy term for solar panels, are one of the fastest-growing industries in the world, as is the “green roofing” industry.
Through the years, home builders, as well as commercial builders, have been testing methods in passive heating and cooling, radiant floor heating, as well as alternative sewage treatments and water reuse. These tests have not only shaped the sustainability movement but introduced it to a new segment of the population, those people who never understood the merits of a greener life.
The sustainability movement also sent signals to materials manufacturers and suppliers that new products were needed and demanded. This demand led to investments that led to the availability of greener building materials not only for contractors but for DIYers as well, such as eco-friendly bamboo flooring.
All of these events finally led to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, being formed in 1993. As a result, the entire construction industry, both commercial and private homes, has evolved, and green initiatives have become recognizable and fully-embraced by the populace as a whole.
Last update of the article: 08/28/2020.
About the Author
James is your friendly neighborhood content writer here at the Green Living Blog. With a passion for all things sustainable, he’s your go-to guru for everything eco-friendly. Armed with a treasure trove of wisdom about sustainable living, recycling, and environmentally conscious practices, James is on a mission. He’s here to make sure you not only protect your family but also keep Mother Earth smiling. 😊🌎 When he’s not busy sharing eco-friendly insights, James can often be found teaching his cat that compost bins make the purr-fect hideaway. 🐱♻️ Join James on his quest to uncover the secrets of defeating wasteful habits while leaving the lightest footprint on our precious planet’s ecosystem.