In Sarasota, we have the ability to create homes that not only support sustainable initiatives but showcase our beautiful landscapes and take full advantage of our climate. Eco-friendly homes are the ultimate blend of sustainable design, renewable materials, and cost-savings for the homeowner.

By using green products in our design, we protect the planet. By incorporating renewable materials in our construction plans, we protect our limited resources. Eco-friendly materials can save you money, require less maintenance, and even help to improve your health by limiting toxins. What’s not to love? Here are several ideas on how to incorporate green ideals when designing your eco-friendly home.

Energy-Efficient Appliances: Installing energy-efficient appliances is an efficient way to lower energy costs. From the washing machine to the refrigerator, older appliances use a lot of energy – but choosing Energy Star appliances will allow you to slash your energy usage, reduce utility bills, and love the planet a little more each day.
Recycled Construction Materials: Many new home architects and builders in the United States design construction plans to reuse materials. Many building materials, like insulation, wood, brick, plastics, and even wall coverings, can be sourced from other building sites and repurposed into a new home. This practice minimizes the amount of waste that would typically end up in landfills, helping to lessen the impact on the environment.

Did You Know? 51% of the energy used by American homeowners is involved in heating or cooling the home. Efficient insulation that can stop hot or cold air from entering the home significantly lowers energy usage and reduces monthly energy costs.

Solar Panels: Florida has abundant sunshine, making planet-saving panels that utilize solar energy a highly effective addition to eco-friendly homes. The panels transform the sun’s rays into energy for your home and can now be acquired as solar-powered roofing that protects the structure of the home while harnessing energy from our year-round sunshine.
Smart Glass: Traditional homes can rapidly lose energy efficiency via the windows, but newly available technology blocks up to 90% of solar radiation. This glass reduces your carbon footprint while maintaining cooler air in the home in the heat of summer – and warm air in during those chilly February nights.
Energy-Efficient Lighting: You need to install light fixtures in every room of your new home, and LED options can ensure the greatest energy efficiency. LED lighting will save homeowners money year-round, but it is also a time saver – requiring far fewer new bulbs over the years.
Smart Thermostat: A smart thermostat utilizes WiFi to automatically control the home’s temperature. You can set the home for one temperature when you aren’t home and program it to adjust the temperature when you are scheduled to return. Therefore the thermostat avoids wasting energy when it is not needed but ensures the interior is comfortable by the time you walk in.
Smart Homes: The ability to control your appliances, lighting, entertainment, and climate from a smartphone is more than just convenient; it can be one of the coolest features when considering eco-friendly homes. Imagine being able to turn lights off and on – or monitoring and regulating the thermostat based on outside temperatures – even when you aren’t home. The ability to control energy-consuming devices even when you are away is a fantastic addition to your sustainable home.

Eco-Friendly Homes by Design

At JTL Studios, we pride ourselves on taking your vision and turning it into reality. If you are interested in designing a sustainable and eco-friendly residence, call us today. We are happy to work with you to design the home you’ve always wanted and a home the planet will love.