Useful Additions for the Roof

Your roof has direct sunlight, there are a few ways you can take advantage and benefit from this:

• Add Solar Panels – Make the most of the suns energy by adding solar panels to your roof. If your home is positioned to get a lot of sunlight this is a great idea.
• Roof Garden – You can use the roof space to grow plants that thrive in direct sunlight. A roof garden can help increase the lifespan of the roof by essentially protecting it from the elements. Energy efficiency is also encouraged by having a roof garden as plants will absorb the sun’s energy reducing the roof temperature in summer and locking heat inside in winter.
• Sun Roof – A sunroof is a great way to allow plenty of natural light into your home while also having temperature control. A sunroof will bring more heat into your home in winter but ideally, you’d want to close the sunroof in summer so the heat can be reflected and your home can remain cool.
• Also consider the colour of your roof, dark colours will absorb more heat while light colours will reflect more. Therefore, a lighter roof will be able to help you keep your home cooler on the inside.

Maintaining the Materials

Building your home with materials that require less maintenance will help you to save on costs too. Concrete and steel both have a high durability rating and require far less maintenance than a material such as wood that requires annual treatment.  Although, sustainable wood is a very attractive material to use it is important you treat it regularly to ensure it remains waterproof and free from insects.

Renewable Energy Solutions

We mentioned earlier that the two main types of energy generation you will want to consider are solar and wind. At first, it may be slightly more expensive to generate your own energy than to choose an energy supplier but utilising renewable sources is clean, green and reduces your dependence on non-renewable energy.

Solar Energy

Installing solar panels allows you to use the sun’s rays to charge batteries which can then be used as power in your home. Generally, solar panels are expensive to buy but they are a long-term investment (a typical warranty for a solar panel is 20 to 25 years).

You can choose to use solar panels for producing energy or you can choose solar heating (also known as solar thermal) for heating water. Solar heating for water is less expensive than a system that produces electricity but it depends what your solar energy requirements are. The best position for solar panels are on the roof as in that location they can use sunlight without blocking sun – to the garden for example – or getting in the way. Some people decide to position solar panels along the ground too but it depends how much space you have available.

Wind Energy

Capitalizing on wind energy by using small scale wind turbines to power batteries is also a viable option. According to The Energy Saving Trust, 40% of all wind energy in Europe also blows over the UK making the UK ideal for small wind turbines. As the wind turbines store electricity in batteries, there will still be electricity available even on a calm windless day.

Maintaining a wind turbine will cost around £100 – £200 annually, depending on the size of the turbine.

Of course, you don’t have to just choose one of the renewable energy generation methods. You may decide to use both systems if your area and weather conditions allow for this to be an effective option.

You can increase energy efficiency within your home by using Energy Star Certified appliances. These are ones that use less energy than normal appliances while still doing the same thing.

Water Usage

You will require water both inside and outside of your home. As we mentioned earlier, water set up is far easier when your home is positioned close to a natural water source. You may use boreholes for water, this will save on your water bills but will cost to initially set up the pipelines.

Collecting rainwater is an option too, the downside to rainwater is that it is not as reliable as other water sources. We still recommend collecting water as it is a great backup to have and is good for use in the garden. Another great option when it comes to watering your garden is using water that you have already used (sometimes referred to as grey water) for example, water from your baths, showers, dishwasher and laundry.

You can also improve your water efficiency by installing low-flow taps, showerheads and toilets. Every drop of water counts and by being more water wise and efficient you can make sure your source never runs dry. Also, be aware of the plants you are growing as some are extremely water-hungry and for the sake of water efficiency may be better avoided.  

Reducing Pollution

While there is no way to completely avoid pollution, it is important to do what you can to reduce the amount of pollution being produced.

·      Sewage

If you are living off the grid, you will need to consider the management of wastewater. On a small scale, you can direct the sewage to a part of your garden that won’t be used for growing food. You may also use the sewage on the grass around your home but keep in mind the smell that this may cause. However, a septic tank or sewage treatment plant are typical ways of dealing with sewage when off the grid.

·      Construction Materials

It is better for the environment to use precast material when building your home. It is often cheaper to cast the material at your building site but this will leave concrete leftovers around your site and can have adverse effects on the environment, for example stopping certain plants from growing.  When choosing construction materials, keep in mind the impact they have on the environment. Try to use local materials and opt for recycled or reused rather than new.

• Rubbish

When it comes to managing rubbish, we all need to be buying less, recycling more and reducing the amount of packaging we use. If you have waste collection, the local council will pick up your rubbish on certain days of the week, otherwise you may take rubbish to your local landfill when appropriate. Composting garden waste and food products rather than throwing them with other rubbish to go to landfill is a great way to be more environmentally friendly and reduce the amount of global warming gases being produced. Another bonus is that the compost can be used as fertiliser for your garden later on too!

·      Fires

Fires should only be made using renewable, natural woods. If possible, use wood from your own trees but do not take excessive amounts as this will negatively impact your natural resources.

Improving Indoor Air Quality

When you are building and decorating, be aware of the chemicals and man-made materials you are bringing into your house as these can negatively impact your air quality. Here are some of the main items to be aware of:

• Paints – Acrylic and latex paints generally contain little or no Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). Avoid paints, varnishes and cleaning products containing VOCs as they give off harmful fumes, overexposure to these fumes can cause a range of problems associated with the respiratory system.
• Floor Covering – carpets are better avoided as they harbour dust, but if you do want carpets in your new green home, choose ones made from natural materials.
• Mould – If there is moisture in your home, it causes mould. You can avoid the collection of water in areas such as the bathroom by installing ceiling fans. According to the NHS, damp and mould can affect your health by producing allergens, irritants and toxic substances. It is best to take preventative measures such as installing proper ventilation to avoid the build-up of excess moisture in your home.

Want to Go Green Without Building a New Home?

Building a new home is a huge undertaking, if you are in a position to do it we recommend you start small and upgrade/ introduce more energy saving features as you go rather than trying to do it all at once. If you would like to make your current home more energy efficient, take a look at our top efficiency tips below.

·      Upgrade Insulation

Having good home insulation has a significant impact on the amount of heat lost through the roof, walls and floor. By having improved insulation, there will be less air leaks and your home’s heating and cooling costs will be reduced.

·      Replace Single-glazed Windows with Double or Triple Glazing

If you have single-glazed windows you will likely be experiencing draught problems, condensation on the inside of your windows and even noise pollution coming in from outside. By replacing these with thicker windows you will improve your homes energy efficiency and you’ll be able to wave goodbye to the host of issues that old and tired single-glaze windows bring.

·      Invest in Solar Panels

We discussed solar panels earlier and they aren’t just an option for those building a new home, they are a great option for your current home too. Installing solar panels will help you to save money in the long run, they require very little maintenance and are a fantastic green energy solution.

·      Use Eco-friendly Products for Decoration

If you are decorating your home choose eco-friendly products where possible, for example ones that are water-soluble or made from plants. If you are using wallpaper, opt for wallpaper made from sustainable materials.

·      Recycle Water

There are a few ways you can be more water efficient in your home. You can switch your taps, showers and toilet flushes to low-flow option that use considerably less water. You can collect rainwater and use it for watering the garden, flushing the toilets or doing the laundry. You may even decide to use greywater (water from your showers, baths, laundry and dishwasher) for flushing the toilet and watering the garden.

·      Use Eco-friendly Lights

Opt for lights that require less energy, switching to LED from incandescent bulbs will be more efficient, less toxic and will produce lower carbon emissions. Other ways you can be more mindful when it comes to lighting are; avoiding multiple fittings, using lamps, keeping light bulbs clean, installing dimmers and making the most of natural light.

Summary

Building a green home, or making your current home more energy efficient, presents the opportunity to make your activities and day to day life more sustainable. Thinking about the environment is essentially thinking about the future. Building a green home will not only create a wonderful place for you and your family to live but will also save you a lot of money in the long run and will play a part in creating a brighter future for the planet too.