A standard build process is not typically environmentally friendly. A significant amount of energy and materials are used to build new homes and there’s often a lot of waste left over.
By using some of our sustainable building techniques, you can craft a home that’s more energy efficient, healthier to live in and better for the environment. And it doesn’t have to cost the earth. Check out some of the fundamental features to consider when designing and building your home.
By using some of our sustainable building techniques, you can craft a home that’s more energy efficient, healthier to live in and better for the environment. And it doesn’t have to cost the earth. Check out some of the fundamental features to consider when designing and building your home.
Fundamental Features of a Sustainable Home
Small changes, big results. Whether you are planning a small home renovation or a new build, there are basic steps you can consider to improve the overall energy efficiency, comfort and environmental footprint of your home.
Orientation
Careful consideration of sun paths and shading is vital when deciding where to position your main living areas, in order to maximise natural light, warmth and airflow, while preventing overheating.
Careful consideration of sun paths and shading is vital when deciding where to position your main living areas, in order to maximise natural light, warmth and airflow, while preventing overheating.
Insulation
Maximise the thermal efficiency of your home by investing in a level of insulation in the foundations, floor, walls and ceiling that suits the climate you live in.
Maximise the thermal efficiency of your home by investing in a level of insulation in the foundations, floor, walls and ceiling that suits the climate you live in.
Windows
Thermal performance and air tightness are very important and can be achieved using double glazing as a minimum standard, with careful consideration of the type of frame and installation position.
Thermal performance and air tightness are very important and can be achieved using double glazing as a minimum standard, with careful consideration of the type of frame and installation position.
Mechanical Ventilation with heat exchange
To help maintain a comfortable temperature inside your home and provide you with clean air flow, a continuous mechanical ventilation system can filter the air coming in to your home of air of dust, pollen and pollution. Stale air is then extracted from your home and a heat exchanger is used to recover most of the heat, which is used to warm the incoming air.
To help maintain a comfortable temperature inside your home and provide you with clean air flow, a continuous mechanical ventilation system can filter the air coming in to your home of air of dust, pollen and pollution. Stale air is then extracted from your home and a heat exchanger is used to recover most of the heat, which is used to warm the incoming air.
Thermal Mass
Consider materials such as concrete tile and brick. They absorb and store heat during the day and slowly release it during the night to help moderate the internal temperature.
Consider materials such as concrete tile and brick. They absorb and store heat during the day and slowly release it during the night to help moderate the internal temperature.
Materials
Choose recycled and environmentally friendly or locally sourced materials where possible.
Choose recycled and environmentally friendly or locally sourced materials where possible.
Fittings and Appliances
Consider investing in high water and energy efficient fittings and appliances.
Consider investing in high water and energy efficient fittings and appliances.
Innovative Eco-technology
Introducing high level technologies often requires a greater level of investment but gives a great return; examples would be solar panels, hydronic under floor heating and water harvesting.
Introducing high level technologies often requires a greater level of investment but gives a great return; examples would be solar panels, hydronic under floor heating and water harvesting.
Sustainable landscape design
Consider outdoor design solutions that minimize the use of resources, such as drought resistant plants, and reduce the output of waste, like introducing compost.
Consider outdoor design solutions that minimize the use of resources, such as drought resistant plants, and reduce the output of waste, like introducing compost.
Access to public transport and amenities
If building a new home, consider your day-to-day carbon footprint when thinking about the location.
If building a new home, consider your day-to-day carbon footprint when thinking about the location.
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