If you have decided to renovate your existing home or build a new one with the goal of being more clean and green, you need to have a proper plan in place. In order to be highly efficient as a self-builder, you need to know which renewable technologies to install in your new build. For this, you need to have an approximate budget in mind to make the most of all your investments. Moreover, to be more sustainable, you need to have an effective green strategy in place.
When you iron out the nitty-gritty, you will want to get the most value out of the money you spend while simultaneously reducing the running costs of your new home.
So to help you out a bit with your planning, at JL Phillips we have discussed how as a self-builder you can create an effective green strategy.
Let’s take a look!
Plan in Advance
Too many people get into home construction at a breakneck speed and focus only on getting done with the planning process. They try to get their new build constructed fast and tend to push the planning for home furnishings for later. If you wish to build a green and eco-friendly home, the first step is to do your homework and do it well. You have to conduct extensive research until you understand all there is to know about green home construction.
Focused and thorough planning about what’s important to you as a homeowner will put you at the forefront of a successful new build project.
Insulate, Insulate, Insulate
Nearly every home loses energy which is why special attention has to be paid to insulation in a new build. You have to take a close look at the prime spots like the floor, walls, windows and roof and top it up with proper insulation. Once that’s done, you will see how quickly you benefit from it. In a self-build, this is perhaps the best way to invest your money to reap the benefits of lasting energy efficiency.
In case of a new home, the building regulations and the local planning authority will have a minimum target for energy efficiency but that doesn’t mean you can’t go beyond that. If you are renovating your existing home, the modifications you make will be significant with improvements being made everywhere.
Here, you can definitely consider insulating the suspended floors in your home and dry line all the cold walls. The savings on your reduced energy bills will reflect in the efficiency in your home.
Heating and Hot Water
For those looking to go the extra mile with their green strategies, a well-insulated home is essential. This opens up more avenues for you to be more eco-friendly, for instance, heat pump installation. Consider onboarding ground or air source heat pump installation company who knows what goes into installing a renewable heating technology. Moreover, consider an efficient underfloor heating system along with low flow temperature radiators to maximise the effectiveness of heat pump installation.
With government subsidies available under the RHI scheme, it’s worth considering the financial benefits of installing renewable technologies. Moreover, there are other financial benefits that you can reap by spending your money on worthwhile systems. Just ensure that you hire professional air source heat pump installers to work on your new build.
Water Usage
Water usage is one aspect that is often overlooked during home construction and remodelling. Yet, the profound savings that water usage can make in the running costs of a property is notable. Harvesting rainwater and greywater will surely require an extra upfront investment while constructing a new home. But once you take the potential savings into account, the installation will make complete sense.
While building a new home or renovating your existing place, these additional elements will surely add to your initial capital cost; not to mention you will be tempted to completely skip out on important aspects of energy efficiency. This is where an effective green strategy will come to your rescue and help you prioritise primary aspects of a clean and green home.
You can identify which installations are absolutely essential and which are the ones that you can compromise on for now. The important thing is to be as clean and green in your practices as possible.
At JL Phillips, you will find an experienced team of air source heat pump fitters who conduct property surveys and walk you through the process of installing a green technology. You can get your free quick quote here.
Get in touch with us today for a cleaner and greener tomorrow!
