Any suggestions for materials to use for building an eco-friendly house?

Question

I'm planning to build a house (about 1400 square feet) that will hopefully be mostly off the power grid. What sorts of non-toxic building materials and (or) viable forms of sustainable energy generating sources for heating, cooling, and lighting a house can you recommend? I already have a cabin in the woods with kerosene lanterns, a fire place, and a wood burning stove.

Answer 1

Hemp, wood, bamboo, and quartz crystals.

Answer 2

Go to the book store and get some books on alternative house building. Straw bale homes are very easy to heat and cool. Lots of windows on the south side will give you passive solar heat in the winter. Depending on where you live. There are solar panels for hot water, heat, electricity. Wind power. We built our Colorado cabin with moss rock using a slip form. It's really easy, looks great, holds the heat in winter and keeps it cool in the summer. We got a permit from the forest department $17.00  per 2 tons of rock. Of course you have to have a truck and trailer and go into the national forest and get it yourself. Check out magazines like Mother Earth News and Home Power they have a lot of info. For solar and wind go to www.backwoodssolar.com. They can answer any questions you have about power ( their prices are a little high so check out bpsolar and compare prices or go on e-bay) Do a lot of reading and research.

Answer 3

I have been where you are now - and after realizing we could not tolerate conventional building materials.  

Check out the following page on Energy efficient home design for some starter design ideas.... http://www.building-your-green-home.com/...

I also love the passive solar heating plans, and the arrangement for passive cooling.  

There is a lot of info on house systems/foundation options/siding/flooring/etc. on the same site.  http://www.building-your-green-home.com

Congrats on your project - and I hope you're very pleased with the results!

Answer 4

We just built a 1500 sq ft home. The best advice I can pass on is to use recycled materials when you can. You would be surprised how much you can gather and it's usually free.

Take your time to do research and plan your home with the most energy efficient DESIGN  for your home.  I spent a year working on a passive solar design that met all my needs.  It was the least expensive way to go for us. With it I have the most amazing natural lighting, I only need one ceiling fan for cooling (and open windows) for 90% of the time, ( i live in texas, it's hot) and for now just one propane heater in the great room.

My favorite purchase has to be my on demand hot water heater.  May you be blessed with a building site that offers the best options for your design!!!!!!