The fight to prevent climate change means that ecological houses are becoming more and more popular. But what makes a sustainable house?
Being responsible towards the planet by fostering the advancement of smart living, which accommodates to the people’s needs and is beneficial for the bio-diversity surrounding it, has the potential to offer financial benefits to the property owners. Cala Company set out to manage responsibly the health and safety of both the workers and the customers, recognizing that sustainability entails the construction of properties that include built-in safety features, providing comfort and ease for the people living in them, while also reducing the need for renovations down the line. Reducing costs associated with power use, water use and upkeep will ultimately translate in more economically sustainable housing in the long run. Through sustainable house design, they seek to influence not just the way of building but also the way the properties will be maintained during their life cycle. Careful planning eliminates the need for big renovations in the future. The combination of green design techniques and cutting-edge technology will also minimise the running costs by creating pleasant living environments and improving home values. Essentially, the more eco-friendly the property is, the more cost-effective it will be in the long term. Environmentally friendly and money-saving: a winning combination!
One fundamental element of eco- friendly building is the investment in the nature and bio-diversity that surround the brand new developments. The ultimate objective is to develop eco-friendly homes that are power efficient. However, some sustainable home features include simply using environmentally friendly materials when building and taking steps to respect the land around it. Kier is continuosly implementing environmental features into developments by partnering with different charities and making an investment in projects like the protection of hedgehogs, the re-homing of fish and the creation of safe and secure habitats for bees. Supporting and preserving the wildlife around their brand new developments goes a long way in helping to reduce the impact newly built constructions can have on the ecosystem, benefiting the nature as well as the local community.
The difficulties of building new houses while being considerate to the environment are numerous. However, companies are starting to build structures with high environmental standards, showing positive signs towards a move to sustainable construction. The most crucial, and popular, component of a sustainable home is of course the minimization of the leftover waste from the construction process: for example, Persimmon has pledged to decrease their greenhouse gas emissions. They have also efficiently recycled almost all of the waste accumulated during their building process, by using modern methods of construction, cost effective technology and eco-friendly building materials. These new ideas will contribute to high levels of thermal efficiency, reducing power expenditures and carbon emissions and, essentially, supporting the fight against climate change.