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.
