Sustainability Comes Home

For many people the idea of sustainability has been a concept without a tangible connection but that is quickly changing. Now that we are all spending so much time indoors, it’s clearer than ever how important it is to be intentional about our space. Having a home office might have been a nice-to-have before but, with remote work becoming more common, a home that supports the new ways we live and work will be essential.  

From how it’s laid out to where you get your power, building a sustainable home is about building a home that takes care of you and your family. Passive and Passive Inspired homes have always had a holistic approach to sustainability. They are built on systems which ensure clean, affordable energy and healthy air quality while offering flexible design options to create a home which sustains your way of living.

Design to fit your lifestyle

Working with a custom builder means having the flexibility to build your space to support your way of living. Do you want a small home office or a quiet room to yourself where you can concentrate? Maybe the idea of a playroom didn’t seem important before but now that the whole family is home together it’s sounding more appealing.

Passive and Passive inspired homes are designed to keep you comfortable. Beyond a layout that is custom tailored to you, the whole-house approach provides an unmatched level of comfort. From the kind of windows installed to positioning the home to harness the power of the sun high performance homes are designed to create a sustainable environment which supports you and your family.

Reducing cost with sustainable power

The sun is nature’s most potent energy source. Passive and Passive Inspired homes are designed to harness this energy in a way that is incredibly cost effective. These passive techniques make the sun our ally in energy efficiency, environmental sustainability, and healthy living.

It’s important to remember that the cost of a new home extends far beyond the construction phase. One of the highest costs associated with home ownership is the cost of energy. The average home is poorly designed for energy efficiency, often leaking heat and cool air, requiring extra energy to stay comfortable. A solar system, used in combination with a thermal envelope not only reduces the cost of energy over time but the savings can eventually pay for themselves, resulting in a Net-Zero home.

Beyond cost cutting, these energy techniques create a more tangible connection to the idea of a sustainable home. Depending on solar energy means your home is producing its own energy even when there are massive disruptions which may result in energy shortages. Interest in solar power has been on the rise, especially lately with the new California mandate, and one we have recommended for decades. It’s the best option for harnessing clean and sustainable energy for your home.

Supporting your health at home

A major, but often overlooked, benefit of Passive and Passive Inspired homes is the quality of air inside the home. From the materials used in building the home to the air filtration system, these houses represent the highest standard in healthy air quality.

Did you know that air pollution levels inside the average new home are 2 to 5 times worse than the air pollution levels outside? That’s a troubling statistic considering we are currently spending the majority of our time indoors. Passive and Passive Inspired homes are built with ecologically-friendly building materials that greatly reduce pollutants within the home. These materials aren’t just good for your family but also good for the world.

As we keep the health and comfort of our families at the forefront, it’s easy to see how taking an intentional approach to your home creates a lasting, tangible connection to the concept of sustainability.

Want to learn more about how Clarum can help you build the sustainable home of your dreams? Give us a call at 650.322.7069