SMALL FOOTPRINT, ECO-FRIENDLY HOMES
If you’re drawn to Park City, chances are you have a deep and profound respect for nature, and the desire to live an environmentally friendly lifestyle. And that’s easy to do here in Benloch Ranch. With a stunning landscape, geologic wonders, and never-ending recreational activities, this pristine mountain region fosters a deep sense of connection to the great outdoors for all who live and play here. And that goes for the homes here, too, which were sustainably built to blend in with the mountain landscape that surrounds them.
Ready to channel your inner Thoreau? Keep reading to find out how the eco-friendly homes of Benloch Ranch were designed with the earth in mind.
WHAT IS A SMALL FOOTPRINT, ECO-FRIENDLY HOME?
“Small footprint” doesn’t just refer to the size of your home. An environmentally low-impact home is one that’s designed and built using materials and technology that reduces its carbon footprint and lowers its energy needs. Eco-friendly building techniques can take efficiency and sustainability to a new level, for highly functional homes that will last a lifetime.
With features such as green building materials and high-performance HVAC design, these homes focus on smart, sustainable choices that are highly functional and beautiful while causing the least amount of impact on natural resources. With their minimal maintenance requirements and beautiful, energy-efficient designs, small footprint homes allow more time to reconnect with nature and benefit our planet for future generations.
WHY ARE SMALL FOOTPRINT HOMES GOOD FOR YOU AND THE ENVIRONMENT?
Here are three ways green homes can reduce our global footprint:
Less energy consumption = less environmental impact. Nearly 90% of a home’s total environmental impact comes from its energy use. Of course, the smaller the home, the less energy wasted — but it’s not just about space. Sliding glass doors and large, uninterrupted windows are the perfect way to show off a gorgeous view and curb the need for unnecessary lighting. Plus, windows made from low-emissivity glass (also known as low-E glass) help maintain your home’s temperature, thanks to a transparent coating that radiates heat energy.
During the warmer months, low-E coatings reduce heat absorption by reflecting solar heat away from your home. During cold months, your home’s interior heat is reflected back into your home.
Less heating and cooling = less CO2 emissions. A home’s heating and cooling system is also a way to save wasted energy, when designed with eco-friendly intentions. According to the US Department of Energy, 40% of all CO2 emissions in the United States result from the demand for heating, cooling, and hot water. However, high-performance HVAC design takes into account equipment size, efficiency of ductwork, lifespan, and installation to improve air quality and strengthen your home's structural envelope — which also creates a more comfortable home for you.
Green materials = a smaller footprint. As carbon emissions are released, the temperature on our planet increases, which has devastating impacts. However, sourcing eco-friendly building materials avoids the harmful chemicals, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), that off-gas and contribute to these dangerous carbon emissions. VOCs are also harmful to our health and have been known to cause side effects ranging from headaches and throat irritation to liver and kidney damage.
Plus, sustainable building uses less waste. Advanced framing, for example, relies on less lumber and only uses wood from sustainable forests. Reusing materials such as precast concrete or recycled bamboo is also a way to curb the use of natural resources and save energy from unnecessary manufacturing.
BENLOCH RANCH HOMES: LIVING BIG WITH A SMALL FOOTPRINT
When you live in Benloch Ranch, you’re nestled in the magnificent Wasatch Mountain range, with up-close access to the beauty of the surrounding landscape. The homes here were specifically designed and built to embrace the natural wilderness that surrounds them.
Benloch Ranch’s modern mountain architecture pays its respects to the protected forests and rolling ranch land that makes Utah such a nature-lovers paradise. All of our homes feature soaring ceilings that reach for the sky, an open interior, and loads of natural light, offering a seamless transition with the landscape outside your door. And with energy-efficient materials and green builds, the homes here are built to last a lifetime.
YOUR HOME BASE FOR THE ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME
Located high in the tranquil mountainscape, yet just minutes from the conveniences and culture of Park City, it’s no wonder why Benoch Ranch draws countless tourists, adventurers, nature lovers, and recreational enthusiasts alike. Want your own private slice of the American West frontier? The elegant and sustainable homes of Benloch Ranch offer you a truly modern mountain lifestyle every day of the year. Contact us to learn more about our innovative new home community, Utah’s newest adventure living destination.
