The fight against climate change has meant that sustainable homes are becoming more and more popular. But what makes a sustainable house?
Being responsible about the environment by fostering the development of smart living, which accommodates to the people’s needs and is enhancing the bio-diversity around it, can offer financial benefits to the owners. Cala Company set out to manage effectively the health and safety of both the workers and the customers, acknowledging that sustainability entails the construction of properties that incorporate built-in safety features, providing comfort for the people living in them, while also minimizing the need for renovations in the future. Lowering costs related to energy use, water use and maintenance will ultimately translate in more economically sustainable housing in the long run. Through sustainable house design, they aim to impact not only the process of building but also the way the properties will be maintained during their life cycle. Careful planning prevents the need for big renovations later on. The combination of green design methods and cutting-edge technology will also minimise the running costs by developing enjoyable living environments and improving home values. Essentially, the more eco-friendly the home is, the more cost-effective it will be in the future. Eco friendly and cost-effective: a winning combination!
One central aspect of sustainable building is the investment in the nature and biodiversity surrounding the new developments. The ultimate goal is to have eco-friendly homes that are energy efficient. However, some sustainable home features include simply using eco friendly supplies when building and taking steps to protect the surrounding land. Kier is continuosly implementing environmental features into advancements by partnering with various charities and investing in projects such as the protection of hedgehogs, the re-homing of fish and the creation of safe habitats for bees. Promoting and preserving the wildlife surrounding their brand new construction projects goes a long way in helping to reduce the effect new constructions can have on the environment, benefiting the nature as well as the surrounding community.
The difficulties of developing brand new homes while remaining considerate to the environment are numerous. Nevertheless, businesses are starting to build structures with high environmental standards, demonstrating positive indicators towards a complete move towards sustainable construction. The most essential, and well known, component of a sustainable home is definitely the minimization of the left over waste from the construction process: for example, Persimmon has pledged to decrease their greenhouse gas footprint. Additionally, they have also efficiently recycled almost all of the waste accumulated during their construction process, by employing modern methods of construction, cost effective technology and eco-friendly building materials. These novel concepts will contribute to high levels of thermal efficiency, reducing power expenditures and carbon pollutants and, essentially, supporting the fight against climate change.