If you want a new house, make sure you check the eco-friendly features. Climate change is a big concern, and many of us are looking for ways to make more sustainable choices. Reducing your use of single-use plastics and using the car less is great, but you can make even more of a difference by considering how eco-friendly your home is.
By Team Savant
Image: Nick Fewings
If you want a new build, check the individual developer’s policies on environmental and energy issues. For example, poorly insulated or inefficiently heated homes will use more energy than homes that have been better designed, costing you more to run and using more resources. New houses have to confirm with minimum standards, but there can be big differences in the way that different builders work, so look out for developments with more eco features and compare specifications carefully before buying.
Insulation
Look for homes that are designed with a fabric first approach to energy efficiency. This means that all elements of the building have been insulated to a higher level than the minimum required standards. Air leakage and thermal bridging are also important to keep the heat in. Good insulation is an essential part of keeping your home’s energy bills down, so check before you buy.
Water Conservation
If you want to use less water, install systems that will help you conserve water. If you own land, this could be Nicholls Water Boreholes. All homes can make use of restricted flow taps and showerheads, and A-rated appliances like your dishwasher and washing machine. Dual flush WCs work well too. Keep an eye on your water usage to reduce your bills and use less water.
Smarter Technology
A smart home can reduce your energy consumption automatically. For example, a smart thermostat can regulate the temperature in the house according to your daily routine, so you don’t waste heat when nobody is home. You can also use smart lighting and other systems to reduce your energy use.
Lighting And Electricity
Make the most of natural light so you can use less artificial lighting. Pay attention to the natural light that comes into your new home. Look for internal lights that have been fitted with low energy bulbs, whether you have traditional bayonet pendant fittings or LED recessed downlights. If you are considering changing your car to a hybrid or eclectic car in the future, then pay attention to whether your new build has the cabling you will need to fit fast-charge points for this.
A Greener Environment
Check whether the developer has thought about the gardens and communal green spaces around the home you’re considering. Is there a landscape strategy to support proper drainage, biodiversity, recreational options, and landscape character with plenty of areas of native planting that will encourage some all-important flora and fauna to flourish? Are there any other measures in place to better support the environment, such as routes to allow wildlife to pass freely between the gardens or nesting boxes for birds?