Sustainable living: Eco house designs

It’s easy to see the appeal of eco homes. Lower running costs are making them a more popular choice for buyers. However, they offer numerous benefits beyond lowering energy bills. Eco friendly homes have less impact on the environment and can be more durable while offering health benefits. You have an endless choice of sustainable living eco-house designs to choose from. 

Eco house design materials

You are not confined to timber and abstract designs when choosing a sustainable home. Many cutting-edge designs have been built using reclaimed materials such as wood, brick, steel, glass, and other sustainably sourced materials. Hempcrete made from hemp, lime, and water provides good insulation and is carbon neutral. Many traditional designs have also become more sustainable.

Period homes

Just because a home is a period property, or an older property does not mean it’s immune to becoming eco-friendly. Good insulation and triple-glazed windows are just a few features that can make this happen. So, when it comes to choosing your next property, keep an open mind because many period properties were constructed using sustainable materials in the first place. 

Captivating conversions

Barn conversions are perhaps an obvious choice, but they just scratch the surface. From out buildings, former industrial buildings, and buildings steeped in history that may have been used for a different purpose, such as a radio house, school, or mill. The property can retain its listing status if it incorporates renewable energy sources, energy-efficient appliances, and energy-efficient lighting.

Self-sufficient homes

Your vision of the perfect eco-home may be one of complete self-sufficiency. Homes fitted with solar panels and heat pumps achieve this. Gardens can play a key role in this by collecting rainwater, growing vegetables and plants, composting, and attracting wildlife. All homes have this potential. Therefore, you can choose from an eternity of designs, from innovative one-offs located in woodlands to townhouses with green roofs.

Buying an eco-home

In many ways buying an eco-home is just like buying any other home. You have endless choice, and while you may pay a little more for the property, your energy bills will be cheaper. Taking a good look around the home to see firsthand the features that make it more eco-friendly is a good place to start. It is a legal requirement for homes to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) in place before it enters the market. The higher the rating, the more energy-efficient the property, and it can help you gauge how green it is.

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Get what you want and need from your next home by contacting your local Guild Member today.

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