It’s always important to think about how your actions impact the world around you. More and more people are becoming aware of how their choices influence the health of the environment and the world as a whole, which is a good thing.  

When it comes to steel buildings, you are already off to a great start. Steel is an excellent building material for keeping the environment in mind, partly because it is easily recyclable. So, what other upgrades can be made to your steel building to make it friendlier to the surrounding world? We’ll take a closer look below.  

Whenever you are ready to order a new steel building, American Steel Carports, Inc. is the best choice for the job. We have a Build & Price tool here on our site that will make it easy for you to customize the structure, and you can always contact us if you have questions about the project.  

Top Eco-Friendly Upgrades  

It Starts with Insulation 

Adding insulation to your steel building will improve its eco-friendliness immediately. That’s because when you run any heating or cooling system inside the building, you will use energy to control the temperature. Without insulation, however, you are going to need to use far more energy than you would otherwise to get the space to the right temperature for your needs.  

Insulation is a simple, affordable addition that will allow you to get far better temperature control from the energy your building consumes. Not only will you appreciate the reduced energy usage from an environmental perspective, but it will also lower your utility bill and make the space more comfortable to use day after day.  

Rainwater Harvesting is a Possibility 

Did you know it might be possible to harvest rainwater that falls on the roof of your metal building? With a catchment system installed that funnels the water into barrels or another type of holding device, you can grab that water and then use it for a variety of purposes on your property. It should be noted that rules regarding rainwater harvesting vary from place to place, so this is something that you’ll want to look into in your area before putting any equipment on the building.  

Sustainable Landscaping Around the Exterior 

The landscaping you use around the exterior of your building is part of its overall operation, so you need to think carefully about the choices you make here, as well. Specifically, go for eco-friendly options that are native to your area and won’t require a ton of upkeep to remain healthy throughout the year.  

Two factors you want to consider when picking landscaping options are how much water the plants will need and how often they’ll have to be fertilized. To be kind to the environment, stick with options that require minimal watering and no or little fertilization. If you aren’t sure how to pick out such plants on your own, a visit to a nearby nursery should give you plenty of ideas to create a landscape design that is both attractive and sustainable.  

Look into Adding Solar 

A solar system is one of the best things you can do to help the environment, as it will harvest the freely available energy from the sun to power much of what you do on your property. The specifics of a system will vary from place to place and one situation to the next, so working with an experienced contractor is your best bet to get it right from the start.  

You can use the solar system to power what you do in the metal building. Or, if this is on a residential property, the solar could serve your main house, powering your various electrical needs and reducing your reliance on the grid. There is naturally an upfront cost to getting started with solar, but that cost will soon be paid back when you have to purchase less electricity from the utility company month after month. Also, the addition of solar panels will boost the overall value of your property, so you may see a return on this investment when the time comes to sell.  

Build an Eco-Friendly Customizable Steel Building 

If you would like to create a new building on your property that is both eco-friendly and highly useful, you can’t do any better than a steel structure. Working with American Steel Carports, Inc. will make this process smooth and hassle-free, and you will get great value for your money. Take a moment today to get started!