How to Build an Eco-Friendly Home

 

If you’re fortunate enough to be in the position where you are building a new home from the ground up, there will be lots of things you need to consider. Something worth looking into is how you can reduce the environmental impact of the build, as well as how the property operates when it’s finished. Read on for some advice on how to build an eco-friendly home.

 

Foundations

 

The foundations of a property might not be something you’ve really given much thought to in the past, but some options are better than others when it comes to the environmental impact. Piling, for instance, is quicker and quieter to install and can be recycled, unlike concrete.

 

Lighting

 

You should consider where you want your windows to be located within the property in order to maximise the amount of natural light coming through. This will mean that you shouldn’t have to use artificial lights as much, which is better for the environment as well as cheaper to run.

 

Insulation

 

As well as the lighting, something else you should consider is the temperature of the property. Insulation is great for regulating the temperature because it reduces the amount of heat that can escape during winter and keeps the cooler air in during summer. As a result, you shouldn’t have to adjust the thermostat as often.

 

Speaking of thermostats, you might also want to consider installing a smart thermostat which can allow you to control the heating even when you’re not at home or heat up rooms that are in use rather than the whole house. This should reduce wasted energy and keep your utility bills to a minimum.

 

Water

 

When installing your toilets, try and opt for dual flush options. These are great for reducing water consumption because you can use a smaller flush for liquid waste.