The need for more eco-homes in our neighborhoods has never been stronger, as the planet struggles to process the excessive carbon in its atmosphere and maintain oxygen levels. We can all play a part in helping the planet clean its air by reducing our polluting habits and building our homes with an eye to the future. In this article, there are some ideas and tips for building an eco-home from scratch or upgrading an existing one to be more planet-friendly.
Choose Your Location Carefully
If you want to build an eco-friendly home you just think carefully about the location. If you build the house west facing for instance it will be naturally cooler and require more energy to heat. Conversely, if you build it south-facing you will get the best of the sun, your home will be naturally warmer, and your heating cost will go down. Also, consider the type of land you're building on, try to avoid flood-prone areas, or prone to earthquakes. In relation to the neighborhood, choose a location that has excellent public transport links to help reduce your carbon footprint.
Consider the Size
There is a trend towards smaller homes these days and that's not surprising. A large home might give you status but the reality is they are more expensive to build, buy, and run. With a smaller home your annual heating and cooling costs will be significantly lower and so will your carbon footprint. Overall a smaller home is easier to manage and is more appealing to younger generations. A smaller home has the added benefit of upsizing. If you want to move some relatives in an extension can be easily added and homecare franchises used.
Building Materials
If you want to construct an effective eco-home you need to carefully consider the building materials. If you get these wrong you might end up with a home that is less efficient or sustainable than you intended. Think carefully about your goals for your home and consult building experts to make sure you're taking advantage of the best available technologies. These days SIPs panels are very effective. The technology has been around for some time but only now is it being used extensively. A SIPs build gives you an airtight eco-friendly construction.
Get the Insulation Right
SIPs paneling is probably the best way to insulate your home if you're building one from scratch. They're made using MDF boards sandwiching a thick piece of insulating foam. The panels fit together like Lego blocks and create a warm airtight space. But if you intend to make your home more eco, you should first consider insulation. Make sure your windows are double or triple glazed and that you have thick curtains to contain the warmth. Draft excluders are also very effective.
Energy Efficiency
Whether you build a new home or upgrade an existing one the key to making it eco is energy efficiency. If building, consider the latest available technologies. Solar panels and geothermal heating might be expensive at first but they will pay off in the long run. These technologies will effectively heat your home, save you money, and drastically reduce your carbon footprint. If you're less ambitious you can still make a difference in the home with Energy Star-rated appliances. These appliances are known for the best current standard of energy efficiency.
