23 22 E R A D I S T I N C T I V E P R O P E R T I E S L U X E C O R N E R F A L L 2 0 2 1 E C O - F R I E N D L Y L U X U R Y L I V I N G Source Sustainable (and Local) Materials It should come as no surprise that the most eco-friendly homes are crafted from environmentally sustainable materials. Bamboo, reclaimed wood, recycled glass and recycled steel are top choices among green luxury home builders because these materials carry a much lower environmental footprint; bamboo in particular is sturdy enough for use in construction, and grows back extremely quickly when harvested. Where you get your material from is as important as the material itself, too. That’s why homeowners are increasingly choosing locally sourced building materials as a way of reducing their carbon impact. By avoiding the greenhouse gas emissions, noise and air pollution associated with shipping large quantities of building material across the country or the world, owners can feel confident that their home design efforts don’t negatively impact the environment. (And as a side benefit, sourcing local materials also showcases the natural beauty of a home’s regional surroundings.) Let it Rain The practice of collecting rainwater is certainly not new; the technique dates back thousands of years, and has been used throughout history as a means of providing people in many cultures with much needed water for themselves and their communities. But the rainwater harvesters you’ll find in today’s luxury homes use technology that extends far beyond traditional methods. These deluxe installations collect water from the house’s roof, removing any organic material like leaves or dirt and depositing it into an underground tank. A sophisticated filtration system then purifies the water, rendering it drinkable, before feeding it into the house’s main water supply. Once the rainwater tanks are empty, the system is programmed to automatically revert back to your local water supply, so there’s no need to worry about your house running out of water before the next rainfall. Where you get your material from is as important as the material itself, too. " " Build a Better Bathroom Green home trends for 2022 include plenty of bathroom enhancements that prioritize luxury and self-care without sacrificing environmental responsibility. Japanese-style hot soaking tubs such as the FURO® include water purification systems that reduce the need for harsh chemicals - as well as built-in heaters that keep your water warm, without the waste associated with draining and refilling the tub multiple times. Another luxurious way to conserve energy in your bathroom (or anywhere else in your house, for that matter) is to install a hydronic radiant heating system. Elegant in its simplicity, this system involves embedding strong, flexible plastic tubing just beneath your flooring and pumping warm water through the tubing - thus creating a uniformly warm surface that radiates upward, increasing the overall temperature of your living space without the use of electricity.
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