A step towards sustainability is to build an energy-efficient house.

It’s a house that uses less energy because of the materials used. It means you’re reducing your carbon footprint, making it a planet-friendly home.

Besides, you aren’t only improving your living, but also saving money on energy bills.

So how do you get started building an energy-efficient home?

Well, the first thing you need to do is to look for energy-efficient materials. To make things easier for you, we’ve put together a list of 7 home energy-efficient materials.

1. Insulating concrete forms (ICFs)

One of the highly energy-efficient materials for building homes is insulating concrete forms (ICFs). You can build an energy-efficient home using this material. The blocks are made of polystyrene blocks and then filled with concrete. Unlike other traditional materials, ICFs are the most efficient material.

It doesn’t only provide insulation, but it also lowers your energy consumption. And that’s the reason why many homeowners go for this material when building their homes.

After all, this insulated material maintains the temperature of your home.

While insulating concrete forms can be a costly material, it is durable. But it’s worth the investment because it doesn’t easily get damaged by moisture or pests.

2. Insulating spray foam (ISF)

As the name indicates, the insulating spray form (ISF) is the type of spray that is used for filling the gaps. It provides excellent air-tight sealing for your walls, ceilings, and roofs. As a result, you benefit from improving your energy efficiency at home.

And the best thing is that you save money in the long run. For example, you’ll save on energy bills, maintenance costs, and other heating and cooling costs.

What’s more, with this material, your home is safe from mold and pests.

Again, this one is also a pricey option. So

It goes without saying that you should always hire a professional to apply this.

3. Recycled steel

Did you know that recycled steel saves energy? It means that you can contribute to the planet by making use of it in your house. For example, using steel beams to provide structure to your house.

Plus, the benefits are endless. As a homeowner, you can build a well-designed structure that is long-lasting. Besides, when you build a home using recycled steel, you’re saving trees!

And the best thing is that it’s an inexpensive option.

4. Cool roofing

5. Composite lumber

6. Bamboo plywood

7. Low-E windows and glass doors