Water Source and Rainwater

Unless you plan to build a home in the woods with a natural spring directly upstream of your home, you will have to dig a well or rely on municipal water systems. It is essential to research the origin of municipal water. If you live in a dry region, the chances are that the municipal water is piped in from long distances. This takes an enormous amount of energy to pump the water into your home.

If your municipal water source is far away or unsustainably sourced, you could consider the possibility of capturing rainwater and storing it in cisterns for household use. If you choose to go this route, it is crucial to find out how much your region's annual rainfall. This research will tell you whether or not you will be able to capture enough rainwater via your roof for your family's annual needs.

Sunlight and Wind

Renewable energy is a hallmark of a sustainable house. Residential solar and wind technologies can generate a significant proportion of a home's electricity needs. If a property you are considering purchasing is heavily shaded, however, you might not be able to generate enough solar electricity to justify the cost — and you would not want to cut down trees. For solar panels, Google created an easy to use map that will help you determine whether the roof on your home is suited for optimum solar power generation.

For wind, if you are planning on putting up a wind turbine on your property, you need to make sure that there is enough wind to make it economically viable. You can find a general wind map of the United States here.

Electricity Generation

If installing a renewable energy system on your house is not feasible, it is vital to understand the source of the energy that the municipal grid provides. If your county, region, state, or province is dependent on coal for electricity, your home will have a much larger carbon footprint than a region where hydroelectric or other forms of renewable energy are the primary source of electricity. This website provides a great map that will help you to determine where your electricity comes from and how much CO2 was released into the atmosphere to produce it.

Heating and Cooling Needs

The local climate where your plan to build or purchase a home will also affect the environmental impact associated with it. If you live in an area with long and cold winters, for example, you will consume significant amounts of energy to stay warm. In these cases, you may want to invest more in insulation and efficient windows. Similarly, places with long, hot, and dry summers will leave most homeowners with higher air conditioning needs. Choosing a region with a mild climate without extreme temperature shifts will allow you to design a home that doesn't need high-energy inputs for heating and cooling needs.

Proximity to Community Resources

Finally, the physical location in relation to community resources, will impact your overall ecological footprint. Living close to where you work, play, go to school, etc., will reduce your commute and save you time. Living near bike trails and public transportation access will decrease reliance on your automobile, reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Bottom Line

The sustainability of your home depends on many different factors. But, location can have the most considerable long-term impact — and should be a significant factor to consider when considering a move, evaluating potential sustainable strategies and investments.