How To Integrate Environmentally Sustainable Design in Adelaide?
- Building Services Engineers
- Nov 13, 2024
- 4 min read
In a world affected by climate change, ensuring that your home is designed and built with sustainable features is more important than ever. Sustainable homes are made from eco-friendly materials, and sustainable design features can also improve energy efficiency. This article will explain how to incorporate Environmentally Sustainable Design Adelaide features into your new home as well as the cost and materials involved:
Table of Content:
What Goes Into Building a Sustainable Home?
If you're wondering how to build a sustainable house or what makes a home sustainable, then you should know that your new home’s sustainability is dependent on several independent factors, all of which will save you time and money in the long run while also being environmentally friendly and energy efficient. You can also consult with a Sustainability Services Melbourne provider to better know what goes into your building project. When designing your home, consider the following key features:
Cool Roofing in Hot Weather
While you want to retain warmth through your high-performance windows, having a cool roof helps to balance your home's temperature regulation. Choose a roofing material that reflects heat from the sun rather than absorbing it. This can help you keep your home cool while also saving money on cooling appliances. Common cool roof materials include stone/rock, green roofs, shingles, and membranes. Make sure to use a sustainable material.
Conserve Water
Water conservation is an often overlooked aspect of household sustainability. Consider installing a rainwater tank for rainwater harvesting. To save money on your water bills, choose water-efficient fixtures and appliances. Use rainwater for water-intensive chores like watering the plants and washing your car. Consider installing a drip irrigation system for your plants to save water and time! Using less water will help to create a more sustainable living environment.
Passive Solar Design
Building a sustainable home involves considering factors like orientation, passive solar design, and window energy efficiency. These elements maximise natural light and heat, reducing energy consumption and high bills. High-performance windows function as both light sources and heaters. Prioritising passive solar design saves money and time on heating and lighting. Additionally, good insulation reduces artificial heating and cooling.
Energy-Saving Appliance
Choose energy-efficient appliances and make use of smart home technology to increase energy efficiency. Solar panels or a solar array are both environmentally friendly and cost-effective sources of renewable energy. Another useful design feature is a programmable thermostat, which can optimise heating and cooling while reducing energy consumption. Using energy-efficient light bulbs will also reduce your electricity consumption.
Outdoor Areas and Landscaping
Environmentally Sustainable Design Canberra features are not limited to indoor areas. You can use them in outdoor spaces. Use native, low-maintenance plants, permeable surfaces, and drought-resistant gardens. You can help to create a more sustainable outdoor environment by conserving water and improving the efficiency of your garden.
What are the Materials and Costs Involved in Building Sustainable Homes?
Once you've planned your sustainable home and incorporated sustainable features into the design, you'll need to consider what materials you'll be using and how much you'll be spending in total. Below, we'll answer two of the most common questions that may arise during the construction stage:
What is the Cost of Building a Sustainable House?
Building a sustainable home is a costly but rewarding investment that can lead to long-term savings on energy bills and a healthier living environment. Factors such as location, floor plan size, and construction company influence the cost. However, some insurance companies may offer discounts for using greener building materials, potentially saving on insurance for a sustainable home.
What Materials are Appropriate for Building a Sustainable Home?
Sustainable building materials are environmentally friendly and reduce carbon emissions during construction. They include recycled, reclaimed, locally sourced, and low-impact options like cellulose, sheep's wool, and recycled denim. Reclaimed wood, cork, or bamboo can be used for floors, while recycled metal, slate, or green roofing materials can be used for roofing. Consult ESD Adelaide Consultants for more information on sustainable materials.
Conclusion
Building a sustainable home requires meticulous planning and design. Adjusting the floor plan before construction allows you to maximise natural light and heat, lowering energy costs. The initial cost of building a sustainable house may be high, but the environmental benefits and long-term savings make it worthwhile. To ensure that your home is sustainable, consult with your sustainability consulting engineer Canberra throughout the design and construction process to optimise energy efficiency and take advantage of sustainable design features.
BSE can assist you in incorporating sustainable design features into your new home in Australia. When you build with the best sustainability consultant Canberra, like BSE Australia, you can be confident that your new sustainable home will be both environmentally friendly and long-lasting.
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