Concerns about the environment have skyrocketed in the past few years, as people begin to feel the effects of climate change.
The annual Scanlon Foundation survey maps this worrying rise, especially among young people. In just two years, concern about the environment among Australians more than tripled from 5% in 2017 to 17% of Australians rating it as the biggest problem facing the country in 2019. When looking at the 18-35 age group, this figure becomes 43%.
With the devastating bushfires that occurred over the Australian summer linked to climate change, it’s safe to assume that number has again risen dramatically.
To combat the disastrous effect humans have had on the environment up to this point, more and more people are making steps towards living an environmentally sustainable lifestyle and carefully watching their own impact on the environment.
With the increased concern for the environment, building environmentally sustainable homes will soon become the standard. And with the plethora of viable and cost-effective sustainable home options available today, there’s never been a better time to build towards a sustainable future.
Tips To Building A Sustainable Home
High Quality Doors And Windows
The goals of passive design, and an important one for sustainable construction, is to reduce energy consumption. In order to be able to do this more effectively, it pays in the long run to invest in the right doors and windows for the job.
Doors and windows control the airflow in and out of your house, and when the outside temperature is either too hot or too cold, poor quality windows will let too much of that air in. With the wrong doors and windows your heaters and air-conditioners will have to work harder to control the temperature in your house, which is bad news for pollution levels.
When building your new home, don’t skimp on quality doors and windows. Don’t let the additional cost fool you either, as that quality will save you much more money in energy bills in the long run.
Better Taps Save More Water
According to the World Health Organisation, water scarcity will affect two thirds of the world’s population by 2025. It’s up to us to do what we can to save as much water as possible so this frightening trend can go some way to being reversed.
Electronic taps are built so that water runs from them only when needed, and should be standard for any sustainable new home. By switching to electronic taps, you’d be surprised how much less water you’re using, as you won’t feel like you’re making any extra effort to save water, the tap does the work for you!
Insulation And Ducts
When it comes to controlling the temperature inside of your home, the importance of high quality insulation and ducts cannot be overlooked.
Poor insulation means an easier exchange of heat, and poor connections can account for a 20% loss of airflow through the duct system. In both cases, to make up for their shortcomings, you’ll end up using much more energy.
Make sure you have a properly sealed duct system and high-quality insulation. These are long term solutions that will dramatically reduce your home’s carbon footprint over the years and are hallmarks of an environmentally sustainable home.
Use Recycled Materials
When it comes to environmental sustainability the first thing most of us think of is recycling, and for good reason. Recycling reduces environmentally damaging waste by reusing and repurposing waste. While most people think of recycling in terms of consumer goods made from plastic and paper, there are many fantastic, recycled options when it comes to choosing materials to build your next home.
Some of these are:
- Rubber Roofing.
- Paper Based Countertops.
- Carpets made from recycled plastic.
- Cork flooring.
- Composite Decking, which can be made from recycled wood and paper.
- Steel made from 100% Recycled materials.
Why Build Sustainably?
In order for the planet to survive the way it has done for millions of years; massive change is needed in the way we live our lives. As the population continues to boom, the way we build new infrastructure is set to be a massive part of this change.
With increased concerns about the environment putting pressure on governments to act, regulations making sustainable building practices mandatory are inevitable in the not-too-distant future. This, and the general increase in environmental consciousness, looks set to exponentially increase the value of sustainably built houses compared to their standard counterparts.
The elements of an environmentally sustainable home come together to save you money on your energy and water bills, which means more money in your pocket. Think of it as being offered money to save the planet, a deal too good to turn down!
At Green Edge Builders, our sustainable home builders in Melbourne specialise in building environmentally sustainable homes that will help to preserve the environment, and future-proof your next build. If you’ve been thinking about building a sustainable home, get in contact with our green home builders today and let’s work together to save the planet and create a better future for everyone in it.