In an era where climate-conscious design and sustainable living are gaining traction, America's obsession with ever-larger homes continues to sprawl. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the world of McMansions: oversized, overbuilt status symbols that prioritize square footage over efficiency and flash over function.
In Western Washington, a $1.8 million McMansion making waves in the subreddit r/McMansionHell isn't a home with garage space; it's more like a garage with living space attached.
The original poster shared in jest, "I need a house for my cars," and looking at the photo of the home, you get it. The design reflects a garage-first mentality, with what feels like a small home awkwardly bolted onto an enormous auto showroom.
While large homes aren't inherently harmful and can even be designed with sustainability in mind, McMansions often represent a misalignment of priorities, where space is maximized not for livability or efficiency, but for show.
It's not just the size that raises questions, but how that space is used, heated, and maintained.
Larger homes require more materials to build, more land to occupy, and more energy to operate, especially when built with high ceilings, poor insulation, and inefficient HVAC systems.
Stay warm all winter long with the Apple of intelligent space heaters Kelvin is the Apple of space heaters, designed for energy efficiency and maximum comfort. It's completely silent and intelligently controlled, with setup taking just 5 minutes. Built from premium materials like aluminum and glass, Kelvin works beautifully as a full-home heating system or as the perfect solution for that one room that never feels warm enough. |
That means more dirty fuels burned, more pollution released, and more strain on local utilities. However, some of the impact can be mitigated with thoughtful design choices, such as energy-efficient appliances, smart thermostats, and especially solar panels.
A well-sized solar array can not only significantly reduce a home's carbon impact but also bring electricity costs down to at or near zero over time, something any homeowner, of a McMansion or otherwise, should consider.
EnergySage is an easy and TCD-vetted source for getting solar installation quotes if you are looking to learn more about solar panels. EnergySage's free service can help you save up to $10,000 on solar installations.
Commenters joined in on the original poster's tongue-in-cheek tone.
TCD Picks » Upway Spotlight
💡Upway makes it easy to find discounts of up to 60% on premium e-bike brands
|
What's the biggest factor preventing you from investing in solar power?
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. |
The cost 🫰 One said, "As a car enthusiast and an architecture master's graduate, surely there is a more tasteful way to have a six-car garage mansion. Atrocious."
Another added, "I drive past this house ALL the time. Crazy to see it here. I did a double take like a cartoon."
Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Cool Picks
