Insulating your existing home needn't cost a huge sum of money, especially when you consider how much you can save in the long-term. One of the most practical efforts we can all make for more eco-friendly homes is to draught-proof. Of course, some of these materials are more expensive to source, but consider the money-saving insulation and fuel efficiency they provide over the lifetime of the building. Reclaimed materials, such as wood and recycled plastic and steel.Instead, use sustainable materials, such as: So, it's essential to move away from building materials that strip the land of its resources - namely steel, concrete, aluminium, and plastics. In fact, around 10% of the UK's carbon emissions can be directly attributed to construction activities, according to the UK Green Building Council. Home construction is a significant contributor to global warming, using much of the world's natural resources while creating large amounts of pollution, waste, methane, and carbon dioxide. So, if you're designing a new home, ask your architect about Passivhaus standards. And when energy costs are going through the roof, we should all be considering the efficiency of our heating systems. Not only does a Passivhaus home create a minimal carbon footprint, but it will save you money on heating in the long run. This is achieved through super-efficient insulation, accurate design, and a mechanical ventilation system for high-efficiency heat recovery. Space heating should demand less than 15kWh per square metre to meet the Passivhaus standard. It dictates eco-friendly ways to generate and retain warmth, using effective ventilation and heat recovery from the ground. Passivhaus design dictates the shape, size, and physical orientation of a dwelling by optimising the amount of sunlight that heats the building. In fact, 14% of the UK's overall greenhouse emissions are produced as a result of energy burnt within our homes.Īnd while the UK is making great strides in the move towards carbon-beating renewable energies, the standard UK home continues to produce dangerously high amounts of carbon. Shockingly, home heating accounts for 40% of the UK's energy consumption, while 85% of UK homes still use fossil fuels, such as natural gas. Passivhaus standards aim to minimise the need for complementary space heating by using sunlight and human- and appliance-generated heat. Passivhaus might sound like a 90s techno band, but it's actually a recognised standard for home construction and design. Whether you’re designing an environmentally-friendly house from scratch or looking for ways to decrease your carbon footprint in your existing home, we’ll show you how to protect the planet (and your bank balance). In this article, we'll explore how to design an eco-friendly home, examining everything from saving energy and reducing your carbon emissions to the materials you use to furnish and decorate. We all want a beautiful place to live, but can we do it in a way that doesn't cost the earth? If you're considering how to design an eco-friendly home, you've come to the right place for eco-friendly ideas that look great and help minimise your carbon footprint.
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