Building a Sustainable House: What You Need to Know

Sustainable houses are quickly becoming the norm in residential construction, and for good reason: they are designed to help the homeowners save on electricity and energy, and will also be better for the environment.

If we can all start thinking about building sustainable homes, we'll be making a lot of headway in offsetting individual carbon footprint. So, if you're thinking about building a sustainable house, you're probably wondering how to get started, what considerations you need to make, and how to make sure it's actually a sustainable effort, and not just another fad. 

What is a Sustainable House?

A sustainable home is designed and constructed with environmental impact in mind - from cozy bedrooms to a functional kitchen. The build will take into consideration resources, energy-efficient insulation, multilayered windows, and potentially solar panels. For many, these are more expensive than traditional building materials, but will be worth it (long term!).

Key Considerations for a Sustainable Home 

The key considerations to make for a sustainable home are energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, and sustainable materials. 

Energy Efficiency

If you want to make your home more eco-friendly and sustainable, you need to think about all the ways that you can avoid relying on generated energy to keep it running. One of the best ways that you can do so is by creating an energy efficient home through insulating materials and designs. The right insulation and multilayered windows will keep hot air in during winter, and cool air circulating during summer - reducing reliance on air con/heating.

Renewable Energy

Renewable energy sources like solar panels, geothermal systems, or wind turbines can generate your own electricity and energy, and reduce your reliance on fossil energy that comes from the main grid.

Methods for Conserving Water

Water conservation is crucial, especially in Australia. A rainwater harvesting system allows you to collect rainwater and use it in your home and garden.

Sustainable Materials

Use sustainable materials like bamboo or recycled glass, steel, plastic, or timber to build your home and in turn, reduce emissions. Recycled materials will be more expensive and harder to source, but will be worth it. Just ask your local builder about these materials and how they can be integrated into building your new home.

The Benefits of Building a Sustainable Home

Building a sustainable home not only benefits the environment but also has numerous advantages for homeowners. Let's examine the benefits of sustainable housing in greater detail:

Reduced Environmental Impact

Building a sustainable home means reducing your overall impact and carbon footprint. Whether it be from the materials used, the reduced reliance on fossil fuel energy, or the renewable energy sources installed on the property, you're doing your bit!

Lower Energy Bills

Energy bills are significantly reduced with sustainable housing due to features such as insulation, quality material windows, renewable energy sources, and water conservation methods. Investing in sustainable features provides a guaranteed return on investment, as monthly energy costs decrease.

Increased Property Value

Building sustainably can improve the value of your property. As we mentioned earlier, sustainability is not just a trend, but an important consideration for many future homeowners. Features like solar panels, rain water tanks, and insulation can also help to increase the value of the home. Sustainable builds will become even more critical in the coming years, making it a wise investment into their property for those planning to sell their homes in the future.

In 2023, it is clear that sustainability is an important factor for many homeowners to consider when building or buying their next home. If you’re not sure how to tackle the project of making your home more sustainable, you can always talk to your local builder about the methods, materials, and resources available to make your build as environmentally-conscious as possible.