The construction industry is one of the most significant contributors to the UK’s carbon footprint. According to the Environmental Audit Committee, the industry is responsible for 25% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. So, it’s important to make a change. However, it doesn’t come down only to the construction. Making more environmentally-friendly choices and decisions throughout the designing process will help you to do your bit to combat climate change and move the industry in a better direction. Here are details that can help you to make a home design more sustainable.

Choose The Materials Carefully

When designing a home, one of the most important elements you need to consider is the materials you want to work with. You will also need to consider the building process itself. There are practical architectural design solutions that can help you build sustainably. When it comes to materials, there are plenty of steps you can take to make the construction process and the final project more sustainable. The first thing you should focus on is where you’re going to source your materials. If possible, try to work with local companies, so the material doesn’t need to travel too far. Then, you should also try to find such materials from suppliers who have similar values and are trying to do their bit to combat climate change. Finally, explore materials that are eco-friendly and of great quality at the same time. 

Include A Space For Charging An Electric Car

Home buyers who care about the environment will most likely want to find a property that can meet their requirements and support their efforts. Most people who are trying to make their lifestyles more sustainable often stretch the changes to their travel arrangements, so they might own an electric car. To make the property more attractive to such home buyers, consider including a space for charging an electric car. If you’d like to tailor the experience even further, look through the LV ElectriX’s website to learn more about what people can expect and go through when buying an electric car. When you learn more about the needs and struggles of potential buyers, creating the design might become a bit more straightforward.

Think About The Orientation Of The House

Orientation of the house is an important detail that you need to consider when designing a house. After all, it will have a significant impact on the natural light and heat in the house. Of course, the orientation will heavily depend on the geographical location of the building site. When building a property closer to the north, make sure that the largest windows are facing south. That way, you’ll be able to take full advantage of the natural light such orientation offers. In order to ensure that the house doesn’t get too hot in the summer, you can plant a tree in front of some of the windows. Then, the residents will get some much-appreciated shade in the summer and catch some sun rays on cold winter days.

Consider Which Layout Will Be The Most Energy-Efficient

The layout of the house is another element that can’t be forgotten when designing an eco-friendly house. If you design a building that is too wide, then the property owners might need to spend more time and money on bringing their home to a pleasant temperature. However, if you add some height to the building, then you’ll be able to lower the carbon footprint of the house and your project at the same time. Thanks to the process of convection, the hot air moves up while the colder air sinks down. With the heating sources placed throughout the property, you’ll be able to make the design more efficient and help future homeowners on their way to a more sustainable lifestyle.

Find The Right Doors And Windows For The Design

Doors and windows are an essential part of any home design. Naturally, one of their main functions is that they keep the residents of the building safe from intruders and weather conditions simultaneously. But they can also play a significant role in the sustainability of the final project that you’re working on. During construction, it is important to ensure that all the windows and doors fit properly and don’t let any cold air from the outside into the building. At the same time, there are many kinds of doors and windows that have different characteristics. So, when you’re working on the design, focus on features that can help the homeowners benefit the environment. It could be a good idea to utilise CAD drawing to help optimise your design. This type of software can help you improve the overall quality of your design and visualise your ideas.

Come Up With Solutions To Conserve Water

When people talk about climate change, the discussion often turns to electricity and gas usage in households and businesses. However, if you’d like to design a sustainable home, you should also bring your attention to water usage. While water is a precious source, it’s not unlimited. And with all the waste and chemicals coming from the households, the local environment can come to harm. To regulate water usage a little, consider working with low-flow solutions. Enriching the design with a rainwater collecting solution will also allow future homeowners to use the water for many different purposes without increasing their bills.

Author: Tom Morrison