As the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference continues, a HomeViews study has discovered that over 70% of new build home buyers or renters favour sustainable construction elements. Renters and owners alike praised recycling services, energy-saving features, and renewable energy capabilities in their new-build homes. Smart features and ecological construction processes were less of a concern for new-build owners or tenants. In 2025, the Future Houses Standard will take effect, requiring new homes to emit 75% to 80% less carbon than they do now.
What should you look out for in a sustainable new-build home?
We should all strive to make our homes greener and more environmentally friendly. Investing properly in eco-friendly features may give you various benefits now and in the future, whether you’re moving into somewhere new or simply wanting to remodel your present house. Here are some of the main sustainable features we recommend you look out for in a new-build home.
Insulation
Insulation is an essential part of green building and making your home more environmentally friendly. Improving your home’s thermal performance can not only help you save money but will also help you minimise your carbon footprint. Traditional insulating materials, which typically include high levels of hazardous chemicals and additives, now have many natural, environmentally acceptable alternatives. Sheep’s wool, cotton, cork, and recycled plastic are all good insulators that are renewable, non-toxic, and biodegradable.
New homes are significantly more well-insulated than ever before, and with hot water generation being the primary load, it’s important to have a system developed specifically for this purpose.
Natural lighting and ventilation
Making the most of natural light and ventilation within your new house is one of the most important things to consider when buying an eco-friendly new build. Therefore, buying a home that utilises these natural resources results in a healthier and more efficient interior environment.
Renewable energy
Our over-dependence on fossil fuels is having a significant negative impact on the environment. And we should all be looking to be more aware of renewable energy sources. Solar panels, biomass boilers, and heat pumps are all cost-effective ways to create your energy and reduce your dependency on traditional sources. Although these technologies may be more expensive, the energy savings will pay for themselves over time.
Energy Star appliances
Now that you have chosen your eco-friendly home. You may want to keep your appliances as energy-efficient as possible. An appliance with an Energy Star badge has been rated as energy efficient by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These gadgets can assist you in conserving power without sacrificing features or performance.
Smart technology
Finally, making your house smart can help you save money on energy without requiring any effort on your part. These technologies are becoming more accessible and straightforward to implement. Smart thermostats can control the temperature in your house and change it based on your daily schedule. Such as shutting off the heat while you’re at work and putting it back on before you go home. Smart lighting, on the other hand, may switch off lights you’ve forgotten about.
If you are thinking of moving house and aren’t sure where to start looking, give our team at Qube Residential a shout for any queries. A member of our friendly team will be happy to assist you with any questions.
Source: Dataloft, HomeViews, 2021, Bank of England.
