If you don’t feel like your home is as sustainable as it could be, now is the time for you and your family to make a change. Here’s what you need to do.
Fabric First
When design professionals and architects talk about this approach, what they mean is that the design of the home maximizes the performance of the materials. Things like the position of the windows, the doors and even the orientation can help to boost energy efficiency. If you have a home and can’t really change things like this then at least give some thought to what upgrades you can make. It may be that you invest in solar panels, so you can use less electricity for example. Things like this make your home worth more, so don’t be afraid to look into them as potential options.
Reuse what you Have
This is a very simple measure, but it can make a huge amount of difference. Reusing and recycling building materials will help you to be more creative and it will also add some cheerful character to your design. It may be that you use bricks from one part of the home to build a pizza oven, or that you restore the timber floors you have now instead of buying a new carpet. Things like this can make a world of difference to your home, and it stops you from having to throw things away.
Change your Car
Could you be more environmentally friendly with the car you have? It may be that you stop driving two cars and that you buy a VW transporter 9 seater as it is the best way for you to move your whole family in one journey. Other things you can do include taking the bus to work over driving. If this isn’t an option for you then you could try carpooling. Carpooling is a fantastic way for you to make sure that you cut down on your environmental impact, and it saves you money, so be mindful of that if you can.
Low VOC Paints
If you are doing some decorating then one thing you can do is try and use low VOC-paints. There is a huge range of paints to choose from right now and the color choice is unlike anything you have seen before. Low VOC paints contain less volatile compounds overall and they are way better for the environment.
Upgrade your Insulation
Adding and upgrading your insulation is one of the best ways for you to improve how energy-efficient your home is. It also stops heat from being lost through the walls and the floor. This can translate to lower heating bills, which is great, to say the least. If you are currently in the process of renovating your home then you should consider adding cavity wall insulation. Solid wall insulation may be an alternative, depending on the type of home you have. Just make sure that you add enough to make it worthwhile, because if you don't then you may find that you don’t end up making much of a difference.
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