Eco-friendly living is now more popular than ever. Supermarkets are cutting down on plastic use in their packaging, H&M is bringing ethical clothing to the world with their Conscious collection, and even McDonalds have eliminated the use of plastic straws. One area in which eco-friendly living is becoming more common is within the property industry, with more housing in development that incorporate these forward-thinking features. So how are eco-friendly homes helping contribute to a more environmentally conscious world?
Some of the most popular property companies in the UK are opting to include sustainable features within their new build developments. Liverpool and London based property company, RW Invest, have used eco-friendly technology like underfloor heating and solar panels in select investment properties as a way to help conserve the environment. Not only do these features help contribute towards a more eco-friendly world, but they also cater to the type of investors and tenants that are interested in greener housing options.
Other popular characteristics of eco-friendly housing are properties that are built with sustainably sourced materials and constructed to a high standard. New properties are usually made in a way that provides a good level of thermal insulation, allowing heat to escape in the summer but keeping the home warm in winter. This means that residents need to use less artificial heating, which ultimately reduces energy use. To insulate, eco-friendly new build homes will be built with greener materials like cellulose, wood fibre, or sheep’s wool, all of which are biodegradable. Triple-glazed windows also play a big part in keeping energy costs low, so this is another key quality of eco-friendly housing.
The environmental impact of the housing industry has been a topic of discussion for a while. In itself, the construction of buildings plays a part in harming the environment through the use of natural resources such as sand, clay and iron. Even the chemicals used in construction can negatively affect the environment. Then, once the buildings have been built and become in use, they’re responsible for carbon emissions entering the atmosphere. In fact, the energy that’s used in construction and the general running of our homes contributes to around half of all total carbon dioxide emissions in the UK.
These facts are the reason why so many people are concerned with the property they live in and its effect on the world we live in. You don’t have to own an eco-friendly home to help the environment, however. There are many things homeowners or renters can do to live greener lifestyles in the house, without having to purchase a whole new property. One of the main things you can do is to get yourself into the habit of using less energy, which could mean turning off electronics when not in use. You should also be vigilant to avoid water wastage by showering for shorter periods and remembering small habits like turning off the tap while you brush your teeth.
With housing being such a huge part of everyday life, the fact that so many companies are starting to implement these more eco-friendly features into homes is excellent news and is hopefully the start in a more positive future.
