Deciding to reduce your eco-footprint and bring your home into the 21st century is a noble cause to help save mother earth, and reduce your spending over the time that you reside in the property, but what exactly are ‘sustainable features’?
Sustainable features
Over time, sustainable building design has evolved, and so has the definition. The modern and most widely recognised definition now surrounds a general theme of a desire to create an eco-friendly home which is comfortable, innovative, healthy and more environmentally sensitive than its counterparts.
Since the inception of eco-friendly design, it has been touted as something that is hideously expensive and only available to those with deep pockets. For those who are building new properties, the reduction in material costs and the advancement of pre-fab houses means that eco-friendly sustainable homes are becoming more available to those who have dreamt of owning one.
So are they more expensive?
Well, you could also ask; how long is a piece of string? This question is not as straightforward as you might think, due to the number of variables that have to be considered. When it comes to building a new property – yes. Size does matter. The larger your build is, the more it is going to cost. The more features you want, the more it will cost. Building a lot, costs a lot! You need to be realistic about your budget and the funds that are available.
If you’re looking to renovate your already standing home and implement sustainable features, this can be a costly task. When houses are built, they’re not built with the intention of walls being removed at a later date for insulation to be installed or for the floor to be lifted to aid in heating and save on energy costs. There are however less invasive measures for standing homeowners to utilise if they’re not feeling up to the task of lifting ceilings and walls.
Here is how you do it!
For new builds, a thoroughly considered site orientation should be the number one priority. Utilising the energy of the sun is free! Pre-fab homes are now the way of the future for the ultimate sustainable homes. Material costs can be accurate, there is less waste and solar hot water systems are another way to make your new homes more sustainable, as well as incorporating a Biolytic plumbing system for water waste. Double glazed windows and uPVC framing is a must to ensure a low blower door test score. The more airtight your house is, the better insulated it is. The less you will have to run your heater or air conditioner and the more money you will save, as well as lowering your eco-footprint.
Correctly installing insulation in your walls, roof and floors is the most effective way to make your home more sustainable. If this is a little too much for you, installing a Smart Meter is a great way to monitor your electricity consumption and figure out how you can reduce your footprint. Investing in energy efficient light bulbs seems like an obvious answer, but with the advancement of LED technology, these bulbs are now much cheaper than their halogen counterparts and far outlive them too! Solar heating is another way to ensure your home is eco-friendly and will be a long-term investment. Converting your windows to double glazed units will reduce the heat that enters your home and keep it in for longer during the winter months.
Whatever your situation, there are many ways to make your home more sustainable and reduce your eco-footprint. EE Windows stocks a large range of uPVC products and double glazed windows to help convert your home into a 21st-century earth saving dwelling or to ensure that your new build is as advanced as it can be. See our range here or contact us today!
