Oct 25 2007
Less Is More…Especially When Being Green.
Architect, Sarah Susanka, has helped reduced the popularity of McMansions by introducing a quainter lifestyle, beginning with our homes.
Her book, ‘The Not So Big House,’ embraces the idea that less is more and that luxury does not have to mean excess. So what does this have to do with green and energy efficient homes? How can a smaller home work for you?
A small, modest home means less heat, less air-conditioning, and less lighting. A home with fewer square feet is more efficient because a smaller amount of energy is needed to run the A/C, provide hot water, and perform other energy consuming activities.
So what can we do to make the most of the space we have?
In comes the multi-use room. A smart layout, multi-tasking furniture and storage can combine several tasks into one space. For example, tile is great in a laundry room for easy clean up and would also be beneficial in a craft room. So why not combine the two. Add storage for materials and laundry supplies and a large table that doubles as a folding station and craft table. Or check your email while cooking dinner by adding a small work station to your kitchen.
Smart storage and a flexible furniture arrangement can turn your media room into a formal space for entertaining and a playroom too. Taking small steps like these can combine several tasks and functions without adding to the overall space of your home. Heating, cooling, and lighting one room as opposed to three will surely save energy and help to reduce utility bills.
If clutter or furniture arrangement is a concern, there are many tips and tricks to seamlessly combine and reduce space without feeling cramped. Check out Real Simple’s advice.
While we may miss our super sized rec rooms and built-in theaters you probably won’t be missing those oversized utility bills. Learning how to live small can be a challenge, but enjoying a greener lifestyle also means embracing the idea that less is more
While I may agree with you in principle, the fact remains that only a handful of individuals (especially in the US) are going to be willing to give up that huge rec room or their mcmansion. In my opinion, we need to explore ways in which people (again, especially in the US) can continue their life of excess without destroying the planet.
Case in point, three years ago my own wife came to me with a drawing of her “dream house”. This “modest” house was ONLY 3,200 square feet. I knew I could afford to buy the house, but the energy bills were certainly going to put a strain on our monthly budget. It was clear to ME that we couldn’t afford to live in THAT house.
To make a long story short, I researched and researched until I came up with an idea that might work if I could find someone to build it. The result is the world’s first Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) / modular construction hybrid.
The house is very cost efficient when compared to other houses of this size (we downsized to approximately 3,000 square feet), and we expect to reduce our energy bills by over 80% without sacrifice. Check out the website I created to showcase this project: www.gouingreen.com
I’ve recently written an email to Nanosolar (www.nanosolar.com). (They are going to change the economics of solar panels very soon.) I am hoping to convince them to sell me some of their prototype solar panels for this prototype house. If so, this house could easily achieve net zero or even be a net producer of energy simply by using technologies available today. No sacrifice necessary.
From my own experience at home, I believe it will be easier to convince people to build energy efficient houses like this one, than to convince them to squeeze their family of 5 into a 1200 square foot ranch.
Maybe a 1200 square foot ranch built to the specifications of our house would be even better!
Thank you,
Ed