Going eco-friendly when building homes and gardens is becoming more and more popular. More people are choosing to recycle and to do every little bit they can to not only save the planet, but save their money as well. Building an eco-friendly summer sanctuary has many advantages for the owner, including lower utility costs and healthier air quality.

When building an eco-friendly summer sanctuary it is important to research the eco-friendly features you want to put in it and how much money these features will save you. More than likely, deciding to build and eco-friendly summer sanctuary will cost you on average five to twenty percent more over the cost of standard construction. The research you will do on the specific eco-friendly features will help you understand the average savings you will benefit from on your utility bills and how many years of utility savings it will take to recover the extra cost you spent making your sanctuary green.

Make sure to choose eco-friendly materials when building your summer sanctuary. You want choose materials that are natural, sustainable, green, locally produced, and require minimal processing when they are manufactured. Stick to companies and manufacturers that share your goals and passion for saving the environment. Only purchase what you know you need to avoid waste and use non-toxic materials whenever possible. Install water saving devices on all sinks, showers, and toilets. You can reuse water by installing a rainwater tank for flushing the toilet, doing the laundry, and watering your gardens.

Avoid high-energy bills by using energy from the sun. Install large double panel windows and skylights in the roof over darker areas. This will allow natural sunlight to illuminate your space for free. This is important because sunlight is more powerful than any light bulb, so allowing light to flow through will allow you to save a lot of money and do a better job of lighting your space! If you are willing to spend a little extra money, install solar panels for providing energy for your summer sanctuary.  Solar panels can heat water and provide electricity. This kind of energy is natural, pure, and perfectly clean. Many are unaware, but the energy obtained from solar panels can be transferred and stored into a battery for later use. However, this can also increase costs, depending on the size of your battery.  If solar panels are not your first choice, then install energy efficient appliances and light bulbs. These are often brighter than regular bulbs and consume less energy. To maintain healthy, natural air quality, use hard wood floors, and avoid carpets or other dust catching materials. Also, use only materials and paint that allow air to penetrate.

Finally, the most important thing you can do when building an eco-friendly summer sanctuary is to be self-sufficient. Being eco-friendly not only helps the planet, it also helps you!