Building sustainable homes is definitely a trend nowadays. Building eco-friendly houses doesn’t only help people help the planet they live on, but it also gives them a chance to save some money. If you’re moving into a new house, or you want to build a new one from scratch, then it would be very wise to follow this trend and build a sustainable and eco-friendly home. The only problem is that there are so many different design options that it might be quite difficult to choose just one. So where to start? Take a look at the most important features of every eco-friendly home:
The position
Obviously, the most important thing that you need to determine is the position of your home. Not only is the position important for real estate, but for quality living as well. This can significantly help with all the other essential features that we will list, such as the cooling and heating efforts, the amount of natural light you receive and so on. This means that you should first determine the position of your home and then see what side you want your windows to be on. You want the one that gets the most natural light and sun rays so that it’s always hot and light. If you live in Australia, it would be such a shame not to use the perks of the climate. Trees are also important here – if you have any plants or trees around your house, determine where you actually want the house as trees can help you create a lot of shade and make a perfect garden, but they can also block sunlight from coming into your living room. So think about this.
The materials
One very important aspect of a sustainable and eco-friendly home is the materials that are used. Using reused, salvaged and recycled materials is the right way to go, so it’s best to speak to your contractor and see which materials they’ve planned on using. What you can also do is use the services of great companies of highly qualified builders in Melbourne, Sydney or any other major city in Australia per se and let professionals help you. Hiring them to build a house for you will definitely result in having a top-quality house that you will be proud of. You might have to use new and not eco-friendly materials for certain things, but it’s also better to consult with a professional and hear their opinion on a certain issue.
The heating and cooling
When making an eco-friendly home, it’s very important to know that the biggest portion of energy is wasted on the heating and cooling system. If the air-conditioning system is inadequate, for example, it can use up most of the energy. This is why it’s good to choose a system that can detect and regulate the room’s temperature on its own. This will prevent any overcooling or overheating and will help you keep the energy levels healthy. Also, consider having windows and doors that are made of double-glazed glass in order to maintain the temperature inside of your home.
The lighting
More and more people are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint, and one way to do this is by using solar-powered lights in the garden. Solar lights are a great eco-friendly option, as they don’t rely on electricity from the grid. Instead, they use energy from the sun to power the light. This means that you can save money on your energy bill, as well as doing your bit for the environment. Solar lights are also very versatile and can be used in a variety of different ways in the garden. For example, you could use them to light up a swimming pool or create an ambient lighting effect in your outdoor space. There are a wide range of solar lights, available to purchase here, so you’re sure to find a style that suits your needs.
The plants as decoration
You might make your home as green as you want, but it’s not the same without several plants around it. Plants can serve as an amazing decoration for any home, and they are also very green and good for the environment. This is why you should always opt for some that will keep your home fresh, filter the air in your home and get rid of any bad chemicals. Another good reason why having plants in your house is important is that they always reduce noise and stress. There are so many beautiful potted plants that you can get. Even if you don’t have green fingers, you can always opt for a low-maintenance plant.
The natural light
Finally, think about natural light. It’s a great way to make your home much more comfortable and fresh. This will also reduce your energy bills as the heat can sometimes warm your house without you turning the heating on, and vice versa. Also, plenty of light can make a small room appear larger. If you don’t have enough natural light, try to install a couple of extra windows or read about other ways to let in natural light.
Building sustainable homes might be the trend of today, but it’s always important to get all the proper information before opting for such a step. However, nothing’s difficult, you just need to think outside of the box, be hard-working and actually care about the environment.
