The movement towards eco-friendly home design has seeped firmly into the own-build sector of the market. The eco-friendly narrative is everywhere, getting increasingly harder to ignore, and this motion is changing the way people choose to build their new home. From renovations to new-build projects, sustainability is a primary focus from start to finish. So, if you’re looking to build a sustainable home, this is how you can be as eco-friendly as possible.

Get To Know Your Plot

Understanding the area that you’re building in will help you complete the project successfully and avoid any surprises along the way. One place to start is with a preliminary ecological appraisal, which aims to uncover any ecological aspects that may impact work or planning. Ensuring your eco-friendly home has the smallest environmental impact possible.

This specialist information from Arbtech will tell you everything you need to know about the environment around you when it comes to sustainable homes. They work all over the country to offer a range of surveys with regard to construction, planning, and any eco requirements for green homes. They can help you get to know the area and highlight important areas to consider before completing the project.

For example, they can tell you all about the wildlife in your area, along with any plants and trees that could be affected by your green home design. Things you could do to reduce the risk of damaging the flora and fauna in the area, and how best to make the most of your sustainable design.

Construction Material Choices

There is a definite trend change towards choosing more sustainable building materials in place of typical construction industry supplies. Given that, according to the World GBC, these processes ultimately contribute to nearly 40% of carbon emissions worldwide. So, this change is something to welcome.

There are noticeable benefits to using natural materials, aside from protecting the planet, of course. The end result is a building that will support the eco movement as well as save the client money in the future. When researching designs and sourcing materials, try to do it with the environment in mind.

Stay away from concrete and try an alternative instead like ashcrete or green concrete. These choices are far more sustainable in eco-friendly home designs, and just as durable in their functionality.
Choose recycled or reclaimed materials like lumber and steel. Materials such as old shipping containers are popular when it comes to repurposing for new homes.
Avoid plastic as much as possible. The harmful impact of widespread plastic use is undeniable in the effects of climate change.

Use Natural Light

Using natural light is a solid strategy to explore in order to make your building project more environmentally amicable, as well as improving its energy efficiency. Carefully placed large windows will be able to utilise the sun’s light more effectively, which can save on energy bills, and support general health, and concentration.

Lighting a building costs a lot (especially these days), and drains the environment due to the constant energy consumption. Therefore, anything that moves away from needing to use energy is an eco-positive move.

However, if you do need some form of lighting, perhaps opt for solar power instead.

Renewable Energy Sources

Leading on from using natural light, the next point focuses on how to incorporate renewable energy sources into your green design. Even though these forms of energy are not always universally accessible, don’t lose hope as more companies as starting to move in the direction of energy-efficient appliances that use less energy.

Here are just a few types of renewable energy currently attainable for home builders…

Solar Energy

Solar panels are installed onto a roof or area of a building to absorb the sun’s rays. This then transfers into usable energy to power lights and appliances. This could be anything from air conditioning units, to a heat pump, or even light bulbs.

Wind Energy

A sustainable home design wouldn’t be complete without the use of wind. Wind turbines are a great example of renewable energy systems. They harness the power of the wind to create a source of energy that can then be converted into electricity. Perfect if you are looking for an energy-efficient design for your home.

These turbines are directly connected to a generator which becomes active when powered through the turning of its blades, as a result of the wind. This can then be used as normal electricity in your home. A great way to reduce your carbon footprint in eco-friendly houses.

Biomass Fuel

To use biomass energy, you need a specific type of boiler to burn waste in. This process then converts it into steam which in turn powers the turbine. This turbine, much like wind-based energy, is linked up to a generator which then creates energy.

Hydro Energy

Similar to the other types of energy listed above, hydro energy uses water to power a generator which then produces a sustainable energy source.

The most common renewable energy source for domestic purposes is solar energy. It’s the easiest to get up and running as it costs the least to install and doesn’t have major demands on space. Ideal for smaller houses, or for storing in a small space.

Passivhaus Construction Strategy

Passivhaus/Passive House is a concept developed to make buildings the most efficient they could be. They are built in a way that conserves energy through structural and material choices. The end result is a constant temperature flow in warm and cool weather. Instead of alternative energy choices, these designs focus on being airtight and properly insulated while being able to take advantage of the warmth from the sun.

They typically have triple glazed windows, some form of mechanical ventilation system equipped with additional heat recovery, a super-focus on being airtight, and increased amounts of insulation throughout. In addition to this, they are also built strategically to fully utilise the power of the sun. So, if you are searching for an ecological approach to home building, this model is a verified success.

Insulation

Insulation is highly encouraged by the government and environmental firms. The key advantages of extra insulation in a sustainable house are…

• A noticeable saving in energy costs, especially in a cold climate
• Insulation is needed in sustainable buildings as it improves moisture control inside the property
• A positive impact on noise pollution reduction in an open space

There are various types of insulation options, most of which are DIY options. The average cost may be around ￡2,500 for a full house installation in an energy-efficient home. However, the money saved as a result will more than offset this initial outgoing. For semi-style insulation, the cost will be much less.

Smart Thermostats

When it comes to eco friendly home design, smart meters are great for keeping track of your energy consumption.

Smart meter technology uses AI software and Wi-Fi to control energy usage in a traditional home. Meters like this create a more automatic process to control the energy use in a home and can be linked up to more or less anything in that remit. They can save you money, reduce your energy usage and control the environment in your new build in a way that suits you best.

It’s easier than ever to retain an eco-focus with a building project, no matter your budget. Plus, these days, there’s an abundance of reasons to do so too – even if to only lower your rising energy bills!