Residing in an energy-efficient building not only lowers your utility bills but can also add an average of 14% to your home’s value, meaning it is not only good for the environment but also beneficial for you as the homeowner. When setting out to build a green home, there are several factors to take into account, but the most important one to keep in mind is that a green home needs to be treated as such, from inception and throughout its lifetime.
The first, and perhaps most important, step in building a green home is a design conducive to environmentally favourable construction. A green home is much more than simply designing the living spaces, but must also account for the mechanical systems and materials used to qualify as green construction. Once you have your design in place, you can move on to choosing which green materials will make your home as efficient as possible.
Sustainability is Key Choosing sustainable products is one of the most important aspects of constructing a green home. You’ll want to make sure you select building materials that are certified as such by a specialist organisation and research those materials in terms of eco-friendliness and stability in the long term. For the larger portion of the construction, you’ll need to procure sustainably forested timber and perhaps look into a roofing material that can be recycled or repurposed at the end of its life cycle.
For the interior of the home, there are many green products that are aesthetically as lovely as anything else on the market. From flooring and skirting boards to countertops and backsplash tiles, there is a multitude of sustainably produced, recycled or recyclable, and re-purposed materials to select from that will fit any style. With green buildings being so popular now, manufacturers are quick to disclose such properties and advertise themselves as appropriate for ecological construction.
Pay More Upfront Energy efficiency is one of the main components of green building and you’ll want to take this into account in all aspects of the home, from windows to mechanical systems. High-efficiency systems may cost more upfront but will save you energy and money in the long term, eventually paying for themselves. Many of these systems will come with a guarantee, and the manufacturers will have already done the maths on your projected savings over the life of the home, so you’ll quickly be able to see how much you’ll save.
A Finished House Isn’t the End Once you’ve completed a sustainable, green home, you have to keep in mind that environmentally-friendly maintenance must be part of the plan. Some of this maintenance should factor into the home design, especially in terms of landscaping. You’ll want to select plants and grasses that are native to the area, therefore, requiring less water and fertilisation. Additionally, you’ll want to explore some eco-friendly cleaning solutions, as many cleaners use harsh toxic chemicals that can be damaging to the environment.
Committing to a home that is environmentally responsible is one that will last a lifetime. The process may be challenging, but keeping your goals and reasons for undertaking such a project is key. The financial commitment upfront may save you some money in the long run, but it will take more effort and money to bring your green home dreams to life, and to maintain it thereafter.
Zero-Energy Designing and maintaining a zero-energy home takes a lot of thought and consideration as well as know-how on the best way to get the most out of the technology involved. Technology is rapidly changing which means that the trends of today are often out of favour a few years later. Government subsidies and schemes can play a big part in how well companies market their preferred product in terms of benefits, efficiency and cost so it is important to do your research.
The bulk of the battle to become zero-energy often lies with simple aspects such as making sure the building is well insulated and air-tight. Thought should also be given to the orientation of the building in relation to the sun; as natural light can help reduce energy bills in terms of lighting, heating and cooling. Using some form of brise-soleil (an architectural feature of a building that reduces heat gain within that building by deflecting sunlight) can prevent overheating in the summer; whilst still gaining warmth and light from the low winter sun. Trees that provide shade can also help.
Moving onto the technology side of things, there are many routes available and each has its benefits and drawbacks. Where energy is sourced from is perhaps the main hurdle to overcome. Whilst solar panels are one of the more well-known ways of reducing energy costs, other alternatives to look at including Micro CHP boilers, air sources and ground source heat pumps. Upgrading appliances to more energy-efficient ones are often overlooked. Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery can remincludeove stale air whilst retaining some of the heat which transfers to the fresh air entering the building which reduces the amount of heating required.