As the demand for energy-efficient homes continues to grow, builders and homeowners alike are looking for ways to incorporate sustainability into new home construction. With Earth Day on April 22 and serving as a reminder of our responsibility to the planet, it’s the perfect time to highlight the innovations making homes greener and more efficient.
Let’s explore the role of sustainability in new home builds and dive into some of the top eco-friendly products leading the way.
The importance of sustainability in home construction
“We look at building as a responsibility to the future,” said Steven Sanders-Myers, purchasing manager at Brightwater Homes. “If we just think about making a profit today, everyone loses tomorrow.”
Sustainable homes not only contribute to a healthier planet but also provide long-term cost savings for homeowners through reduced utility bills and maintenance costs. Leading brands recognize the increased desire for sustainable products and are making a difference with innovative designs that enhance new home construction.
Kohler: Innovating for water efficiency while enhancing bathroom design
Water conservation is a critical aspect of sustainability, and Kohler has been at the forefront of designing plumbing solutions that help reduce water waste. One standout product is the Kohler Highline 1.0 GPF Toilet, which uses just one gallon per flush – far less than the standard 1.6 GPF models. This not only reduces water consumption but also lowers water bills for homeowners.
Kohler is committed to doing their part to mitigate the effects of climate change and address environmental challenges as well as reducing the environmental footprint of their customers by offering products with lower environmental impact compared to the baseline. To do this, they’re improving their operational footprint through responsible manufacturing, supporting the natural resources upon which they rely and investing in the innovation and design of environmentally friendly products while driving transparency around the composition of product materials and environmental impact. Learn more about Kohler’s efforts and impact.
Electrolux: Energy-efficient appliances for a smarter home
Household appliances are among the biggest contributors to home energy consumption, making energy-efficient choices critical for sustainable living. Electrolux is committed to reducing its carbon footprint through high-performance, eco-friendly appliances.
Their ENERGY STAR®-certified refrigerators, washers and dishwashers consume significantly less electricity and water than conventional models, helping homeowners cut down on utility costs while reducing their environmental impact. Electrolux also focuses on using recycled materials in their appliance construction and has set ambitious goals to achieve climate neutrality by 2030.
Mohawk: Sustainable flooring with style and responsibility
Flooring is another major factor in a home’s environmental footprint. Mohawk is leading the way in sustainable flooring solutions, incorporating recycled materials and responsible manufacturing processes into their products. Their EverStrand carpet, for example, is made with recycled plastic bottles, diverting billions of bottles from ending up in landfills each year.
For clients looking for hard surface options, SolidTech R is sustainable, high-performance flooring. Completely PVC-free, every square foot contains the equivalent of 20 recycled plastic bottles, and each plank of SolidTech R also helps stop ocean plastic in collaboration with Plastic Bank. Plus, Mohawk’s manufacturing facilities prioritize renewable energy and water conservation, ensuring their entire production process aligns with sustainability goals.
Weyerhaeuser: Sustainable wood products for responsible building
Sustainable construction starts with responsibly sourced materials, and Weyerhaeuser is a leader in producing environmentally friendly wood products. The company manages millions of acres of certified sustainable forests, ensuring that wood used in home construction is harvested sustainably.
Weyerhaeuser’s engineered wood products, including laminated veneer lumber, oriented strand board, and other advanced technologies, optimize raw material use and reduce waste while delivering strong, durable solutions for framing and structural applications. The company lives out its commitment to environmental stewardship and reducing its environmental footprint by implementing sustainable forestry practices, using the most of every log during manufacturing, powering its mill with wood waste and using its lands to create natural climate solutions like renewable energy and carbon credits.
Deako Smart Lighting: Energy efficiency at your fingertips
Lighting accounts for a significant portion of household energy consumption. Deako makes sustainable living simple for homeowners and effortless for builders. With Deako Smart Switches and Smart Dimmers, homeowners can control lighting remotely, set schedules and timers and adjust brightness – minimizing energy waste.
Their modular system makes it easy to upgrade to energy-efficient solutions, including other ENERGY STAR® and Title 24-compliant options like the Simple Dimmer, Simple Ventilation Timer, Simple Motion and Simple Astronomical Timer switches. CBUSA builders get preferred pricing and exclusive benefits at Deako’s Partner Portal.
Sustainability starts with smart choices
Building sustainable homes doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort or style – it means making smart choices that benefit both homeowners and the environment. By incorporating water-efficient plumbing, energy-saving lighting, eco-friendly flooring, energy-efficient appliances and responsibly sourced wood products, you can create homes that align with modern sustainability standards.
“We believe that builders should be dialed in on how the homes we build will perform decades from now and the cost and energy required by the owners to upkeep them,” Steven said. “For us the question isn’t if we should build high-performance homes, it’s how can we build more sustainably and encourage others to do the same.”
This Earth Day, consider how you can contribute to a greener future by choosing products that prioritize efficiency, conservation and responsible sourcing. By choosing brands like these through CBUSA, building an environmentally responsible home has never been easier.
Are you ready to make your next home build more sustainable? Enroll with these brand partners and more by logging in to your Member Portal and going to Contracts Central.
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