The Top Sustainable Features of High-End Properties That Are Good for the Environment

Many of today's buyers and homeowners are more interested in sustainability and green living than ever. Green living not only supports the environment but in many cases can create a more comfortable living space. High-end properties often contain elements and attributes that support these fantastic trends, allowing you to make the most of every day in your home. Take a look at some of the top sustainable features of high-end properties and how you can use them to make the most of your investment, whether you're purchasing a new luxury property or considering upgrading your existing property to reflect those values better.

Solar energy is a form of sustainable energy that can transform the way your home operates. Many of today's high-end properties contain solar panels, often placed on the property's roof. These solar panels draw in energy from the sun, which is then used to power part or all of the home. Excess energy from these solar panels is sometimes even sent to local power stations, which means potential profits or discounts on other portions of the energy bill. Solar panels can also provide their owners with a higher level of independence since they can generate their own energy.

A traditional roof is often unused space on a property. Unless you have a rooftop setup that allows you to take in the views around you, chances are, you rarely even look at the roof. Green roofs, on the other hand, are designed to make the most of that available space. In place of traditional roofing materials, they use vegetation and greenery. Not only does this create a lovely, unique effect that may have people looking at the roof, but it can help reduce air pollution and improve the life of the roof structure. They may also help absorb stormwater runoff. Ultimately, not only do they have a beautiful look that makes your home seem like an oasis as you approach it, but green roofs create an energy-efficient, sustainable effect that is highly desirable for many high-end property owners.

Smart technology isn't just a great way to make your home more comfortable and provide enhanced convenience. It's also a sustainable trend that can help you reduce unnecessary energy usage and protect your investment. Smart technology offers sustainable advantages in several ways.

With smart home technology, you can control energy usage throughout your property. Easily turn off the lights in unoccupied rooms or change the temperature when you're away from home. For example, if you're on vacation during the heat of summer, you can turn up the temperature in your home while you're gone, then turn it down in time for it to cool down before you arrive. Likewise, you can keep your home at a cooler temperature when heading off to warmer climates during the coldest part of winter, then raise the temperature to a more comfortable setting before you arrive home again.

Your smart home technology can provide you with essential notifications about possible problems throughout your home. For example, if you left the refrigerator door open or forgot to turn the oven off, with smart, connected appliances, you'll receive a notification that you need to take care of the problem, reducing energy usage and removing possible threats to your home. Your smart fridge may even notify you when food is nearing its sell-by date or use-by date if you've programmed that information as you loaded it.

Keeping your lawn green and beautiful is key to maintaining your home's appearance. However, you don't want to overwater it — because you don't want to drown your grass and waste water. Smart sprinklers and other connected systems can improve water usage, relying on weather reports and soil measures to determine when those units need to turn on. Smart technology can also make it easier to determine water usage for hot tubs, pools, and spas and moderate it according to your current needs.

Many of today's high-end homes focus not only on the home's interior but also on exterior green spaces. Gardens have become increasingly popular. Though lovely, landscaping isn't just a way to show off your sense of style; sweeping green spaces can create a deeper sense of relaxation and allow you to make the most of your outdoor living space. Current sustainability trends focus on things such as fruit trees, herb gardens, and even private gardens, all of which combine to create a lovely outdoor area with your own personal food sources to inspire meals for family events, gatherings, and more.

As many builders have become more conscious of the energy-related demands of their profession, they have turned to locally sourced materials. Locally and ethically sourced materials are not only more sustainable in the short-term since they cut down on transportation costs, but they can also create homes that fit better into the local surroundings, allowing for a unique appearance and better flow from inside to out. Locally sourced materials, whether for a new construction project or a renovation, can also provide jobs to locals, which can help improve the local economy.

One of the most important sustainable features of a high-end property is its overall durability. High-end homes, particularly those built with sustainability in mind, are designed to last. They're not quick construction projects made with materials that will require repair or replacement within a few short years. Instead, they are hardy options that will allow you to maximize the lifespan of your home. While some features and elements may change, your home will, overall, stand the test of time. Durability also extends to your design elements: for example, you may want to select classic elements that will last for years rather than selecting trendy, passing designs that may not fit your long-term needs.

If eco-friendly living is important to you, you need top real estate agents in Denver who understand the latest sustainable design trends and how they can impact the life and value of your property. Contact Megan Quinn Mayfield to learn more about the best properties near you and how they fit the latest sustainability trends and green living designs.