Realtors are used to answering questions about available closet space and the number of bathrooms, but there’s a new question people are asking when searching for a new home:
How’s the energy efficiency?
Recent research has shown that more Americans are searching to buy or build an energy-efficient home. And with climate change worsening and energy bills rising, it’s perhaps not much of a surprise that sustainability is shifting to a top priority.
But just how much of a difference does it make? Do homes that help people to conserve energy really help to save money and the planet?
Let’s look at some of the top statistics for energy-efficient homes.
Jump To: Top Home Energy Facts and Statistics | Energy Efficient Window Facts and Statistics | LED Light Facts and Statistics | Sustainable Roofing Facts and Statistics | High-Performance HVAC Facts and Statistics | Residential Solar Facts and Statistics
Energy-Efficient Homes: Statistics and Facts
A survey from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) revealed that 63% of agents and brokers find it valuable to promote energy efficiency in a house listing.
Here are some stats that back up why homeowners are — or why they should be — prioritizing energy-savvy homes.
- Energy-efficient-rated homes sell for 2.7% more than unrated homes, and better-rated homes sell for 3% to 5% more than lesser-rated homes.
- Nine out of 10 homebuyers would rather buy a more expensive home with energy-efficient features versus a cheaper and less energy-efficient home.
- Real estate agents report that energy efficiency adds $8,246 to a home’s value in 2022, up more than $1600 from 2021.
- Homes and commercial buildings consume 40% of the energy used in the United States.
- To enhance energy efficiency, homes can benefit from upgrades such as air leak sealing, new windows, programmable thermostats, insulation, energy-efficient water heaters, Energy Star appliances, solar panels, and LED lighting.
- Compared to traditional homes, LEED-certified homes typically consume 20% to 30% less energy, with some achieving remarkable energy reductions of up to 60%.
- Residential energy accounts for roughly 20% of annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the U.S.
- A properly insulated attic can reduce your energy bill by 10% to 50%, according to the Department of Energy.
- Switching to energy-efficient windows can save the average homeowner up to $583 per year.
- Inefficient windows lead to $50 billion in energy waste per year in the U.S.
Watch Below: Learn what our favorite science guy, Bill Nye, is doing to improve the energy efficiency of his home.
Energy-Efficient LED Lights for Homes: Statistics and Facts
- LED bulbs use about 90% less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs, saving the average household about $225 per year.
- An average household dedicates 15% of its energy budget to lighting. Using new technologies can reduce lighting energy use in your home by 50% to 75%.
- LED lights contain no mercury and are 95% recyclable.
- LEDs excel in energy efficiency, converting 95% of their energy into light, while incandescent bulbs waste a staggering 90% of their energy as heat.
- By 2030, LEDs are projected to account for an impressive 87% of all lighting sources worldwide.
- The widespread adoption of energy-efficient LED lighting is projected to slash global electricity consumption for lighting by 30-40% by 2030.
Energy-Efficient Roofs for Homes: Statistics and Facts
Replacing your roof will not only help protect your home from the elements, but it can also drastically increase its energy efficiency. And as it turns out, the best roofing materials for the environment are also the best roofs for lowering personal energy consumption.
- You can save up to 30% on air cooling costs by installing a metal roof over an asphalt one.
- A green roof would save about $200,000 over its estimated lifespan of 40 years, with nearly two-thirds of that coming from reduced energy costs.
- Metal roofs are 100% recyclable after use. Additionally, aluminum roofing materials are made from 95% post-consumer recycled contents and steel roofing is made from 10% post-consumer recycled contents.
- A metal roof replacement will increase your home value by more than $23,000 — more than $6,000 more compared to an asphalt shingle roof replacement.
Energy-Efficient Home HVAC Systems: Statistics and Facts
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are responsible for a whopping 48% of a home’s energy usage. Small changes like switching from a gas furnace to a heat pump or choosing an air conditioner with a better SEER rating can make a big difference for your home and for the planet.
- Conventional air conditioner systems cost over $29 billion annually, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
- The $4.28 billion High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Program (part of the Inflation Reduction Act) provides rebates of up to $8,000 to install heat pumps, which can both heat and cool homes. It also provides a rebate of up to $1,750 for heat-pump water heaters.
- Standard water heaters account for 14-18% of your utility bill.
- Energy Star-certified smart thermostats can save homeowners between 8% and 15% on electricity costs.
- According to The U.S. Department of Energy, adjusting your thermostat by 7-10 degrees for eight hours a day can save up to 10% on energy costs.
Energy-Efficient Home Solar Systems: Statistics and Facts
By installing solar panels on your roof or switching to solar shingles, you can rely less on traditional energy sources and generate your own electricity. Plus, housing trends point toward an increasing amount of interest in homes with solar features.
- On average, a U.S. homeowner sees $20,000 of lifetime savings from switching to solar energy.
- Solar installations increase a home’s resale value by an average of 4.1%.
- The cost of adding solar panels has dropped more than 70% over the last decade.
- The number of U.S. homes with installed solar panels has increased by an average of 32% per year since the year 2005.
Energy Conservation: Statistics and Facts
- Americans waste $200 to $400 in home energy expenses per year due to air leaks and outdated HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems.
- Energy efficiency measures, including building insulation and efficient appliances, are projected to save IEA countries USD 680 billion in energy costs in 2022, representing a 15% reduction in their total energy expenditure.
- Making energy-efficient choices helps burn fewer fossil fuels, which helps lessen the bi-product of greenhouse gasses and other air pollutants.
The post Energy-Efficient Homes 2023: Top 33 Energy Facts and Statistics appeared first on EcoWatch.
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Just like fashion has been overrun by fast fashion, home goods and furniture have similarly seen a rapid decline in quality. Rugs are no exception.
And similar to fashion, these cheap goods come at a high cost — namely, to the planet and to people. In fact carpet and rug production is rampant with exploitation.
On the other hand, fair trade rugs present the best of what a rug can bring to your home: artistry, craftsmanship, and heritage.
The brands featured in this guide are partnering with (and fairly paying!) skilled artisans who are using generations-old — and sometimes even centuries-old — techniques. These artisans are sustaining long lines of crafts, preserving their cultural diversity, and celebrating the richness of their time-honored crafts.
There’s simply no replacement for a timeless, quality artisan-made rug — they’re like pieces of art you can lay out on your floor or hang on your walls.
So, enjoy browsing through this guide to sustainable rug brands listed out below and best of luck on your search for the right fair trade rug!
Where to Find Ethical and Fair Trade Rugs
Note that this guide includes affiliates and partners. As always, brands must meet high standards for ethics and sustainability to be featured and all opinions are my own.
1. Obakki
Best for: warm-hued handwoven wool rugs
Categories: Area Rugs, Runners, Accent Rugs
Obakki partners with artisan weavers primarily in Oaxaca, Mexico — including individual makers like José — who hand-dyes and weaves rugs on a traditional pedal loom using locally sourced sheep’s wool and natural dyes derived from native plants. The brand also works with Rrres Design Studio, a Latin American studio dedicated to preserving traditional Oaxacan weaving techniques, and sources handwoven textiles from artisan communities beyond Mexico as well, including Morocco.
Each rug is made from 100% wool with no synthetic dyes or backing. Most pieces are made-to-order with a 4-8 week production window, shipped directly from the artisan partners.
Price Range: $460 – $4,159
Conscious Qualities: Natural Fibers, Natural Dyes, Craft Preservation
2. Kiliim
Best for: modern wool kilim rugs
Categories: Area Rugs, Accent Rugs
If you’re well-versed in rug terminology, you may recognize that this brand’s name looks similar to the word kilim.
Kiliim’s rug are made using authentic kilim rug craftsmanship by artisans in Egypt coming from generations of kilim artisans. To ensure ethical production and to support the preservation of this heritage craft, Kiliim pays living wages to all artisans.
Price Range: $95 – $4,812
Conscious Qualities: Ethical Production, Heritage Craft Preservation, Natural Fibers
3. Urban Natural
Best for: browsing fair trade rugs in lots of styles and sizes
Categories: Outdoor, Area Rugs, and Accent Rugs
This natural home and lifestyle retailer has a beautifully curated selection of sustainably-made rugs crafted with materials like jute, sisal, wool, and cotton.
Several brands on Urban Natural are also ethically hand-loomed or hand-knotted, such as Loloi — a GoodWeave partner — and Jaipur Living — a brand that partners with thousands of local artisans to sustain heritage crafts.
Price Range: $259 – $9,755
Conscious Qualities: Eco-Conscious Materials
4. LOOMY
Best for: pet-friendly and performance rugs
Categories: Area Rugs, Accent Rugs, Runners, Outdoor Rugs
Founded by a weaver, LOOMY is dedicated to crafting beautiful artisan-made rugs that will last for decades to come.
LOOMY partners with highly-skilled artisan weavers who craft quality rugs made from eco-minded materials like banana silk, jute, and recycled cotton, plus performance options made from 100% recycled polyester built to withstand whatever life brings you.
Price Range: $298 – $8,298
Conscious Qualities: Natural Fibers, Craft Preservation, Vintage Options
5. West Elm
Best for: fair trade rugs in on-trend mainstream styles
Categories: Area Rugs, Accent Rugs
West Elm is bringing ethical rugs to a broader market with their collection of Fair Trade Certified
wool and cotton rugs. While I recommend browsing the smaller shops listed above first, West Elm is supporting the movement to responsibly-made, fair trade rugs.
Price Range: $$$
Conscious Qualities: Fair Trade production, Majority Natural Materials
6. Jubi
Best for: Modern rugs in vibrant prints
Categories: Accent Rugs, Circle Rugs, Runners
Jubi is a Brooklyn studio founded by textile designer Cassie Dagostino. Every rug is handmade from New Zealand wool by fourth-generation weaving families in Bhadohi, India using traditional techniques. Each rug is made-to-order, meaning no excess stock. Since everything is made to order, expect between 3 and 7 weeks for your rug, depending on the technique used.
Conscious Qualities: Pays Above Market Rates, 100% Wool, Made-to-Order
Price Range: $228 – $668
Shipping: Free worldwide shipping
7. Rejuvenation
Best for: Classic rug styles made in Fair Trade factories
Categories: Accent Rugs, Runners, Area Rugs
Home retailer Rejuvenation has a selection of rugs made in Fair Trade Certified factories. Their collection includes undyed hand-loomed rugs to geometric flatwoven wool rugs. And while I’d typically avoid synthetics, it tends to be unavoidable for outdoor rugs — so Rejuvenation’s Fair Trade 100% recycled poly rug is a good option.
Conscious Qualities: Fair Trade Certified, Mostly Natural Materials
Price Range: $79 – $1,649
Shipping: Contiguous U.S. shipping for 10% of product price (add $20 for HI, AK, and US. territorries)
Liked this guide to ethical rugs? You might also enjoy:
Ethical Home Decor Brands to Curate a Beautiful, Conscious Space
Eco-Friendly Furniture to Furnish Your Home Sustainably
Fair Trade and Eco-Friendly Blankets to Cozy Up With
The post 5 Best Ethical Fair Trade Rugs to Elevate Your Space appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.
As a longtime book lover, I may be biased, but I think a full bookshelf is one of the most beautiful additions to a space. There’s nothing better than seeing a showcase of your favorite reads alongside a TBR list.
A bookcase, though, can of course be used for all sorts of purposes from placing your favorite photos of family and friends to showcasing treasured vintage finds.
Whatever the case, this guide will help you find the right sustainable bookshelf for your living room, office, or wherever you like to cozy up with a good read!
So what make a bookcase more sustainable? What makes a bookshelf non-toxic?
First of all: sustainable and non-toxic are two overlapping — but distinct — criteria. And both of those terms can come with a lot of opinions and varying definitions.
When it comes to sustainable bookcases, I look for:
- Responsibly Sourced Materials: most bookshelves are made primarily with wood. While natural, unsustainable wood sourcing can be a cause of deforestation, so we want to see that the wood was from responsibly managed forests or made from reclaimed or repurposed wood. Some bookshelves may feature metal, in which case recycled materials here are important.
- High Quality Construction: sustainability includes longevity — how long will you be able to use that furniture piece before it goes to the landfill and gets replaced? Look for transparency around craftsmanship and woodworking processes. Another sign of quality is the length of warranty a company has for its products.
- Ethically Made: this one is straightforward in theory — were the people making it paid fairly and working in safe conditions? — but is unfortunately not always easy to find information. In this category, I look for transparency in practices, what relationship the brand has with the manufacturer (some produce in-house which is the best case scenario for transparency!), where it was made, and how well the makers were paid.
Ideally a sustainable bookshelf would also be non-toxic — as toxic chemical fumes aren’t exactly sustainable! But this isn’t always the case. For example, if a company prioritizes upcycled materials, they don’t necessarily have control over what inputs were part of the original materials. And sometimes a company focuses more on ethical artisan partnerships and sustainable wood sourcing, more than, say, using non-toxic finishes.
But when it comes to non-toxic bookshelves, this is what I look for. (Note that non-toxic doesn’t necessarily mean safe for all chemical sensitivities. Nor does it mean zero potentially irritating chemicals.)
- Solid Wood (where possible): MDF or pressed wood contains glue to stick the various wood pieces together, which can contain added formaldehyde. I prefer solid wood, or if it is engineered wood, I’d make sure the company is transparent around the type of glue used and/or they at least have a product certification like GREENGUARD. (More on that in a second.)
- Low or Zero VOC Finishes: most wood furniture is completed with some sort of finish to provide a protection against scratches or moisture. Many of these finishes are synthetic, and some can contain high levels of toxic chemicals. Look for a natural finish like linseed oil or beeswax or a low VOC synthetic finish.
Relevant Certifications
You’ll see a few certifications referenced throughout this guide. Here’s what each one covers:
- FSC Certified = the wood sourcing was responsibly managed; this is not a finish, foam, or textile guarantee.
- GREENGUARD / GREENGUARD Gold Certified = the finished product was tested for low chemical emissions, including VOCs, with Gold representing the stricter tier.
- Fair Trade Certified
= verifies that a factory meets standards for fair wages, safe working conditions, and ethical labor practices. - Cradle to Cradle Certified (Gold) = evaluates a product or material across material health, circularity, clean air/climate, water/soil stewardship, and social fairness.
Where to Find Sustainable Bookcases and Shelving
I’m always a secondhand first proponent, and that goes for furniture, too. While your local thrift store might not have used bookshelves, check for dedicated furniture resale shops near you or estate sales. (I use EstateSales.net to find ones near me.) You can also find gently used pieces on online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp or AptDeco.
If you can’t find something you love secondhand, and you don’t want to DIY your own bookshelf, then the next best choice is to shop from one of the sustainable furniture companies below. (If you’re simply looking for a bookstand, I’d suggest browsing Etsy for a collection of solid wood, bamboo, and reclaimed wood book stands and cookbook stands!)
Note that this guide includes affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links which helps us continue to run this website and create resources like these. As always all brands meet strict sustainability criteria and are brands we love — and that we think you’ll love too!
1. Medley
Best for: low VOC wood bookcases
Medley’s bookshelves are elegant and elevated, perfect for a living room. Each piece is made with 100% solid FSC-certified hardwood for the tops and sides, though low-VOC CARB 2 compliant plywood is used for the shelves.
Every eco-friendly bookcase is handcrafted in the US (California or North Carolina) and completed with a low-VOC wood finish.
Price: $2,395 – $2,995
Materials: White Maple, American Walnut Wood
Conscious Qualities: Made-to-Order, US-Made, FSC-Certified Wood, Natural Finish
2. Thuma
Best for: non-toxic modular bookshelf
Thuma’s eco-friendly bookshelf is made from upcycled wood sourced from rubberwood trees no longer being used to source rubber. The brand’s bookshelf is also GREENGUARD Gold certified.
What makes Thuma’s bookshelf stand out to me, though, is its modularity — their Pillar Bookshelf can be set in 10 different configurations. And if you start with just a few shelves but later decide you want a larger bookshelf, you can simply buy an additional shelf or two to add on to it!
Price Range: $550 – $3,300
Materials: Upcylced Rubber Wood
Conscious Qualities: GREENGUARD Gold Certified, Repurposed Materials, Adaptable
3. West Elm GREENGUARD Certified
Best for: low-tox bookcases and bookracks for kids
This furniture retailer has plenty of adorable, but functional, bookshelves for a playroom or kids’ bedroom. From cubby bookcases to mid-century bookracks, you’ll find plenty of options that are not only GREENGUARD certified, but made in Fair Trade Certifiedfactories, and/or with FSC-certified wood. Note that the company’s bookshelves are made with engineered wood, though.
West Elm also has GREENGUARD certified bookcases large enough for the adults too!
Price: $399 – $2,897
Materials: Solid Wood, Reclaimed Wood
Conscious Qualities: Fair Trade, FSC Certified, and GREENGUARD Certified Options