6 Top Important Benefits Of An Eco-Friendly Home
Eco-friendly homes are designed and built to have less of an impact on the environment than traditional housing, which therefore improves our lifestyle. Their eco-friendly designs focus on energy efficiency, renewable materials and energy sources, and the use of recycled and natural materials. You may automatically assume that building a green home will be expensive and time-consuming, but the contrary can be true. Building an eco-friendly home boasts many outstanding benefits besides the obvious to our natural environment.
How is an eco-home economically friendly?
With the passage of time and the popularity of environmentally friendly building incentives, building an eco-home is more affordable than ever. However, the real savings are appreciated in the long term. For example, eco-homes use less energy, are better insulated, and use effective heating systems, which all lead to lower monthly utility expenses. In the US, for example, green homes with a LEED certification are shown to use 25% less energy than traditional non-green homes. This could mean extra cash to use on more lifestyle-based spending such as holidays, shopping and entertainment. Some features of an eco-home that could save you money are:
- draught-proofing;
- water-saving systems;
- emergency efficient lighting;
- high levels of insulation;
- well-sealed doors and windows;
- efficient air conditioning and heating.
Installing a renewable energy source is a significant factor to consider when building an eco-friendly home. Possibly the most well-known and popular way to achieve this is by installing solar panels. Although they can be expensive from the offset, they could save you a lot of money in the long term. Another great money-saving option is an intelligent thermostat, which allows you to control your heating system remotely and save energy.
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How does being eco-friendly add value to my property?
As green homes use less energy and produce less carbon dioxide than traditional housing, they are more likely to fall under band A of the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). The EPC grades homes on a scale of A-G from most to least energy efficient. According to research conducted in the UK, houses with an EPC rating of C-G sell for 3.5% less than those with an A or B rating. This certificate also gives recommendations on how to improve your score.
Suppose you already have a home but want to upgrade it to meet eco-friendly standards. In that case, there are always options. For example, it is worth researching which government schemes you may be eligible for, or you could remortgage your home to pay for the necessary improvements. With a mortgage broker like Trussle, you can easily understand whether remortgaging is a viable option with their online mortgage calculator. Across Europe, different policies and schemes have been introduced to facilitate increased energy efficiency in buildings.
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How eco-homes improve your indoor environment
Eco-friendly homes can help to limit your exposure to unhealthy contaminants, allergens, and pollutants. Their improved heating and ventilation systems also create a more comfortable environment for your family. The increased insulation, ventilation, and air quality that this type of home provides all have a positive impact on your health. What’s more, reflective windows fitted in eco-homes provide more comfortable lighting. Possibly, the most desirable reason for choosing a green home means you can give your family a safe and healthy home.
According to the Global Status Report 2016, energy efficiency, fuel switching and the use of renewable energy measures could potentially save 84 gigatonnes of CO2 emissions (GtCO2) by 2050. Choosing to build or renovate an eco-friendly house doesn’t just help the environment, it could be an excellent investment in the long term and can improve your own and your family’s overall lifestyle.
